5 persons arrested for 32-year-old’s murder

Cuttack: Five persons were arrested on Friday in connection with the murder of a 32-year-old man, who was shot dead following a drunken altercation at Nuapada Press Colony under Madhupatana police limits.

The deceased, Soumya Ranjan Jena alias Rinku, sustained a bullet injury in the chest and upper abdomen on Feb 18 and succumbed to his injuries at SCB Medical College and Hospital. Those arrested have been identified as Utkal Keshari Pasayat (30), Abhijit Mohanty (25), Priyabrat Tripathy (25), Himanshu Sekhar Nayak (30) and Rudra Prasad Chand (22).


DCP (Cuttack) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said the incident took place at an abandoned quarter in Press Colony where the victim and several others, including the five accused had gathered to consume alcohol. During the gathering, an argument broke out between Soumya and Pasayat. In a fit of rage under the influence of alcohol, Pasayat fired at Soumya from a country-made pistol.

The injured youth was initially shifted to a private hospital and later to SCB Medical College, where doctors declared him dead, added Khilari. The accused allegedly attempted to conceal evidence by removing live ammunition and empty cartridge from the spot, added Khilari.

A country-made pistol, two live cartridges, one empty cartridge, a car, a scooter, a motorcycle and four mobile phones were seized from them. Khilari said, “The case was detected within 48 hours through scientific investigation, analysis of CCTV footage and mobile phone data. The murder was the result of sudden provocation during a drunken altercation. All accused have been produced in court.” Police said probe is underway to verify criminal antecedents of the accused.