Puri: The court of the first additional district judge in Odisha’s Puri on Wednesday acquitted six persons in the sensational murder case of former BJD councillor and Jagannath Temple servitor Taluchha Bhagaban Mohapatra in August 2012.
Several witnesses turned hostile reportedly because police failed to provide them with security, weakening the prosecution’s case.
Those acquitted are Debi Prasad Subudhi, Sarbeswar Apat alias Dhoka, Bhimsen Subudhi, Harihar Subudhi, Papu Mohanty and Krushna Chandra alias Kalia Pratihari.
Debi Prasad Subudhi and Dhoka were the prime accused. Mohapatra was shot dead allegedly by Dhoka outside Panchuati Jagaghara, a community centre for wrestlers in Harichandi Sahi on August 22, 2012. Mohapatra was also a member of the Jagannath Temple managing committee.
In its chargesheet, police said Pratihari was the main conspirator and hired hitmen to kill Mohapatra. Rivalry over real estate business led to the killing, according to the police.
