Four Arrested in Brutal Murder of Man Over Illegal Stone Transport Dispute in Nayagarh

Bhubaneswar: Nayagarh police have arrested four persons in connection with the brutal murder of a man in Odisha’s Odagaon area, allegedly linked to a dispute over illegal transportation of laterite stones and money settlement.

According to a press note issued by Odisha Police, the incident has been registered under Odagaon Police Station Case No. 123 dated May 11, 2026 under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The deceased has been identified as Ajit Kumar Sahoo of Odagaon. Police said the complaint was lodged by Sadashiv Sahoo, father of the deceased.

As per the FIR, Ajit Sahoo and his friend Santosh Kumar Pradhan were standing near Kadalibandha roadside around 1:30 am on the night of May 10-11 when a group of accused persons allegedly arrived in vehicles and attacked Ajit with swords and other deadly weapons, resulting in his death on the spot.

During investigation, police found that two trucks loaded with laterite stones had allegedly been intercepted earlier by Ajit and Santosh over an illegal transport issue. The two reportedly demanded money for settlement of the matter, which led to a heated argument with truck owner Purna Chandra Nayak alias Dipu.

Police said several accused persons later reached the spot in a Mahindra TUV and motorcycle. Investigators found that the accused allegedly held a grudge against Ajit due to repeated obstructions in their alleged illegal stone business activities.

According to police, during the altercation, one accused allegedly pinned Ajit to the ground while another brought out a sword from the vehicle. The group then allegedly attacked him repeatedly, causing severe injuries. Police said Ajit’s right hand was completely severed from the wrist while the left hand was partially severed in the assault.

After the murder, the accused allegedly fled the scene and hid the weapon in a forest area between Abhimanpur and Bhapur under Fategarh police limits.

The arrested accused have been identified as Purna Chandra Nayak alias Dipu, Mohanta Nayak, Manas Behera and Sridhara Sahoo. Police said scientific teams were engaged during the investigation and the body was sent to District Headquarters Hospital, Nayagarh for post-mortem examination.

Police have also seized a 407 truck and a Honda Amaze car linked to the case. The weapon of offence, a sword, was later recovered based on the disclosure of one of the accused.

Nayagarh police said multiple teams have been formed to trace other accused persons and seize additional vehicles involved in the crime. Adequate police force has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.