Bhubaneswar: An altercation between two brothers in an intoxicated state turned fatal at Mahula village under Chandaka police limits near Bhubaneswar, when the siblings allegedly hurled crude country-made bombs at each other, leaving one dead and the other critically injured.
According to police, daily-wagers Mohan Padhi (26) and his younger brother Madan Padhi (24) were under the influence of alcohol when latter began speaking loudly on his mobile phone inside the house around 8 pm on Tuesday. Mohan asked him to lower his voice, sparking an argument that quickly escalated into a physical fight. Family members tried to intervene but could not stop the brothers. Mohan then allegedly picked up a crude bomb wrapped in plastic that had been kept inside the house and threw it at Madan, who suffered severe injuries to his hand, nearly severing the palm, while trying to protect himself.
In retaliation, Madan allegedly grabbed two more crude bombs and hurled them at his brother, striking Mohan on the head. The explosion killed Mohan instantly on the spot, while Madan was left critically injured.
Madan was initially rushed to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after his condition worsened. Police sources indicated he is now out of danger.
ACP Zone-VI Manas Ranjan Pradhan stated there was no prior enmity between the brothers and that the violence erupted during a sudden quarrel. “We will arrest Madan once he is discharged. A scientific team have collected remnant samples of the explosives for forensic analysis at the State Forensic Laboratory,” he added.
Police are examining presence of the crude bombs inside the house and their intended use are also being examined with a case registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Explosive Substances Act based on a complaint by another brother, Jagan Padhi.
Family members and villagers told police the bombs had been stored to ward off wild animals such as boars and elephants that often stray into human settlements from nearby Chandaka forest. No bomb-making materials were found at the residence, suggesting the explosives were not manufactured there.