Grocery Store Owner Dies After Quarrel With Customer Over Rs 40 In Odisha’s Bhadrak

Bhadrak: A grocery store owner in Odisha’s Bhadrak lost his life after allegedly being roughed up by a customer over balance payment of Rs 40.

The deceased has been identified as Bijay Panda of Bania village.

According to sources, Rakesh Parida of Charampa area paid only Rs 140 for grocery items worth Rs 180, which he bought from Panda’s shop at Patharadi Chhaka under Bhadrak Town police limits. A heated argument ensued as he refused the pay the remaining Rs 40.

An agitated Rakesh allegedly abused Panda and pushed him because of which he fell on the ground. The store owner collapsed while trying to get up and sit on a chair. He was rushed to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital but doctors declared him brought dead.

“My uncle was fit and fine when he went to the shop this morning. We spoke too. But after some time, I got a call that he had been taken to the hospital. On reaching the the hospital, I was told he had died,” Nalinikant Panda, nephew of the deceased, told the media.

Panda’s family members have lodged a complaint with local police. “We want justice and stern action against the accused,” Nalinikanta added.

A police officer informed that the body has been sent for postmortem and appropriate legal action will be taken after ascertaining the cause of death.