Prime Accused and Five Others Arrested in Puri Land-Dispute Murder Case

Bhubaneswar: Puri Police have arrested the prime accused, Ashwini Pradhan, along with five of his associates in connection with the murder of Amiya Pradhan (46) of Torihanbandha village under Balanga police limits.

According to police sources, Amiya had been residing in Nuasahi under the Kumbharpada police limits in Puri. He and his elder brother Ajay had moved away from their native village, but Amiya continued to be embroiled in a long-standing dispute with three of his brothers over ancestral land at Torihanbandha.

The conflict flared up on Tuesday afternoon when a clash broke out between Amiya and Ashwini, the son of Ajay, allegedly over the division of property. Amiya sustained minor injuries and lodged a complaint at the Balanga police station, which reportedly went unattended.

The situation turned deadly later in the evening around 5:30 pm. Amiya was sitting near the village Hanuman temple with his driver, Malay Pradhan, when Ashwini arrived on a motorcycle with his sister, Gunei Pradhan. Amiya stopped them and questioned Ashwini over the ongoing land dispute. A heated argument ensued, during which Amiya allegedly slapped Ashwini.

Hearing Gunei’s screams, Ajay’s wife Prabhati Pradhan, relative Jitu Swain, and brother-in-law Sanjay Pradhan rushed to the location. They allegedly attacked Amiya with sharp weapons, fatally striking him on the head.

Witness Malay Pradhan was reportedly threatened and pushed aside by the attackers. Locals soon gathered and rushed Amiya to the District Headquarters Hospital, where he was declared dead. His body was later sent for post-mortem examination.

Police have begun a detailed investigation into the case.