Youth run over SUV, killed over love triangle

Bhubaneswar: What initially appeared to be a hit-and-run at Acharya Harihar College Square here early Saturday has indicated a premeditated murder allegedly driven by a love triangle and personal feud, police said.

Police have arrested six persons in this connection while the deceased has been identified as Barun Kumar Routray alias Barenya, 26. Police have registered the case under Sections 103(1) and 3(5) of BNS on the basis of complaint lodged by deceased’s father Ashok Routaray, a resident of Gopabandhu Padia, who alleged that his son was deliberately killed by being run over with a vehicle due to a previous grudge.

Investigators said the fatal incident occurred on the intervening night of Friday, when the victim was chased and intentionally struck near Acharya Harihar College Square. Six accused have been identified as Bramhananda Das (36), Chidananda Das (31), Asish Dehury (30), Swastik Bhardwaj, 23, Suraj Biswakarma (23), and Sridhara Nayak (20). All are residents of Sailashree Vihar under Chandrasekharapur police limits, officials said.

During the investigation, police seized a SUV and a two-wheeler linked to the accused. “When the PCR van arrived at the spot it looked like an accident. Three persons on motorcycles had been injured by the car hit. They were sent to the hospital, where the deceased was declared dead. Information obtained from the two injured revealed the intention and act of committing murder,” said DCP Jagmohan Meena.

Police said one Suraj Biswakarma worked at a juice shop run by one Bramhananda Das near Tarini temple chowk in Sailashree Vihar. Suraj was allegedly in a relationship with a girl, for past six years, but tensions arose after Barun reportedly grew closer to her. The dispute led to repeated confrontations between Suraj and Barun, police said.

According to investigators, around 2 am on Saturday Barun and three associates went to the juice centre allegedly to attack Suraj with lethal weapons, but retreated after seeing 8 to 10 people gathered there.

Police said the group returned later, triggering a clash. Suraj and others then allegedly pursued Barun and his friends in a SUV, hit their motorcycle near the college, and ran over Barun with intent to kill, police said. Barun died on the spot, while his friends Alok Mallick and Balabanta alias Godhi sustained serious injuries and are undergoing treatment, police added.