Bhubaneswar, June 10: Goons shot dead a 46-year-old man after he resisted a bid to snatch gold ornaments from his sister-in-law on Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway near Satasankha, 45km from here.

The victims were on their way to visit Jagannath Temple when the incident took place at 1.40pm.

The victim identified as Manoranjan Behera was on his way to Puri with his sister-in-law Renubala on a motorcycle when the goons waylaid them.

"Two men in another motorcycle chased us and rammed into our vehicle. We fell on the ground and one of the goons tried to snatch my gold chain. When Manoranjan resisted, one of them fired two rounds on us. One of the bullets missed me, while another hit Manoranjan in his chest," said Renubala. She also told that the goons snatched her gold chain and bangles.

Later, a profusely bleeding Manoranjan was rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Renubala with multiple injuries on her body is being treated at the hospital.

However, the police suspect that loot might not be the sole motive as the statement of Renubala is changing frequently. "Initially, she told us that she was the wife of the deceased, but later changed her statement and told that she was his sister-in-law," said a police official. He also said that they were interrogating the woman further to ascertain the motive behind the incident.

Manoranjan, a native of Jajpur district, has been staying in Sunderapada on Bhubaneswar outskirts and has been working as a supervisor at a construction company.

Puri superintendent of police Sarthak Sarangi said the motive of the crime was yet to be ascertained. "Loot appears to be the prime motive, but we are investigating from every possible angles. The woman is a distant relative of the deceased. We have constituted a special team for investigation," said Sarangi.

With thousands of tourists plying through the road daily, today's incident has drawn severe criticism from residents who alleged that law and order situation was deteriorating with each passing day.

"Absence of patrolling on the national highway has led to frequent loot and snatching on the road. Besides, there are a number of exit routes on the highway to neighbouring districts, which is the reason behind the goons escaping easily. Despite our frequent demands, the police are yet to intensify patrolling," said a resident.

Bail rejected

The sub-divisional judicial magistrate court in Bhubaneswar on Friday rejected the bail petition of Air Odisha founder Santosh Pani.

The court has ordered Pani to deposit Rs 40 lakh in an account of a nationalised bank after which he can move his bail petition.

Pani was arrested by the Khandagiri police on June 1 on the basis of a complaint lodged by Sandeep Ray, son of former Union minister and Rourkela legislator Dilip Ray.