Odisha: Bhubaneswar double murder case solved, two juveniles held

Bhubaneswar, June 30 (IANS) The Commissionerate Police have cracked a sensational double murder case in Bhubaneswar within 24 hours, arresting two minor students for their alleged involvement in a brutal late-night assault that led to the death of a father-son duo at Kolathia under Khandagiri police limits during the intervening night of June 28 and 29.

Police sources said the two unidentified assailants forcibly entered the house of 54-year-old Himanshu Padhi, a priest at a local temple, by breaking open the main door. They attacked his 20-year-old son, Krushna Prasad Padhi, with iron rods and other weapons, inflicting fatal injuries during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday.

When Himanshu and his daughter, Tapashi, rushed to Krushna’s rescue, the assailants also attacked them. Subsequently, all three victims were immediately taken to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Doctors declared Krushna, a second-year BSc student, brought dead on arrival, while Himanshu, who had sustained critical injuries, succumbed during treatment early on June 30. Meanwhile, the injured Tapashi continues to undergo treatment.

After registering a case (644/26) at Khandagiri police station, the Commissionerate Police formed multiple teams and launched an intensive investigation using CCTV footage, local intelligence, and technical inputs. A scientific team and dog squad were also deployed at the crime scene.

During the investigation, police seized two iron rods reportedly used by the accused as weapons. They also recovered bottles containing chilli powder, clothing worn during the incident, a mobile phone, and other physical and biological evidence.

The police managed to crack the case within 24 hours by apprehending two juveniles, or children in conflict with the law (CCLs), aged 16 and 17, on charges of committing the double murder. Police informed that one of the accused is a Class XII student, while the other has appeared for the Class X examination.

Speaking to media persons, Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh said they have so far ascertained that the juvenile accused bore a grudge against the deceased, Krushna. The reason behind the grudge was that the deceased had allegedly been harassing a girl known to one of the juvenile accused.

He added that they carried iron rods and chilli powder and carried out the late-night attack, causing severe injuries to the victims. The accused claimed they had no intention of committing murder and had only planned to spray chilli powder and return.

However, the police have concluded that they had planned to carry out a serious assault, as they had worn masks, carried iron rods and attacked the victims in a brutal manner. The police concluded that they attacked with the clear intention of committing murder.

–IANS

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