Bhubaneswar: Law and order in Odisha capital came under scrutiny following a shooting incident in Sishupalgarh under Dhauli police limits that left a JCB contractor dead. The tragedy, stemming from a financial dispute and late-night alcohol consumption among acquaintances, highlighted a chilling wave of crime hitting the city, compounded by two other incidents reported across Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
According to family sources, 25-year-old Tapan Nayak, a local JCB machine contractor residing in Sitaram Basti under Khandagiri police limits, left home last night carrying ₹60,000 intended for work-related payments. Around midnight, he was present in Sishupalgarh where acquaintances and former co-workers had gathered to consume alcohol. Up until 12:30 am, he communicated with his family, even updating his wife over a video call that everything was fine. However, a sudden altercation erupted over the financial settlement. The prime accused, identified by family members as Umesh Jena, allegedly fired the fatal shot. In an attempt to mislead police, the accused loaded the critically injured Nayak into a vehicle and rushed him to Capital Hospital. He was subsequently referred to another healthcare facility but succumbed to his gunshot wounds en route near Mausi Maa Chhak overbridge.
On being informed, Bhubaneswar DCP Saravana Vivek M and special squads rushed to the scene. Police detained five individuals from Sishupalgarh for interrogation. The prime accused was also taken to the crime scene under heavy police escort this morning to conduct a meticulous crime scene reconstruction and trace the weapon, which was recovered from nearby Gangua canal with help from Fire Services personnel.
Further investigation is underway to establish the motive and determine the individual roles played by all detained suspects.
Two Other Grim Incidents Rock the Capital
Elderly Woman Murdered by Caretaker in Laxmisagar: A 76-year-old woman, Kunjalata Nanda, was found brutally murdered inside her two-storey house Laxmisagar’s Buddhanagar area on Wednesday. Initial investigations revealed that her caretaker, Balabhadra Maharana, allegedly committed the heinous crime and fled with gold ornaments worth lakhs and a scooter. Police sent the body to Capital Hospital for autopsy and launched a manhunt to track down the absconding caretaker.
Decomposed Body Found Near Kelu Charan Park: Adding to the city’s growing safety concerns, a highly decomposed body was found hidden inside bushes near Kelu Charan Park. Local residents and visitors near the RPF colony alerted police after noticing a foul smell. Preliminary inspections indicate that an attempt may have been made to burn the body to obliterate identity and evidence. Police recovered a half-pant near the remains, suggesting the victim is male, and have circulated descriptions across local police stations to establish his identity.