Bhubaneswar: Police on Tuesday clarified that no stabbing occurred inside Chandaka police station in Bhubaneswar on the night of March 21, as a video of the alleged violent incident went viral on social media.
“Full CCTV footage of the incident has been thoroughly verified, confirming that the episode involved only a brief push-and-pull quarrel between two parties, which was swiftly brought under control by on-duty staff,” the police release said.
According to the official clarification, the incident took place when an injured man, identified as Soumyaranjan Paltasingh (36), arrived at the station around 11:19 pm along with his wife, bleeding from injuries on his right hand. Within seconds, members of the rival group also reached the police station. Upon seeing each other, the two sides immediately began quarrelling and engaged in a scuffle. “There was no stabbing or use of any sharp weapon inside the premises, Staff immediately intervened and separated the groups, bringing the situation under control within just 30 seconds,” police emphasised.
The clash was attributed to a long-standing family property dispute at Daruthenga village under Chandaka police limits. Pitabas Paltasingh (73), who has two wives, has one son from each: Susanta Paltasingh (32) and Soumyaranjan. The two half-brothers have been at loggerheads over property division, leading to earlier quarrels in the village that spilled over to the police station on the night of March 21.
Two separate FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident, and a total of 13 persons, including Susanta Pitabas and his Gitanjali (54), Soumyaranjan and his wife Ritupragnya Padhihari (27), have been arrested under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.
Police said that further investigation is underway into both cases and urged the public not to believe unverified rumours.
