Bhubaneswar, July 2: Police today arrested Joy Barik alias Upendra, 45, the elder brother of Rajendra Barik, who is the prime suspect in the Dillip Naik murder case that took place on June 18, from Balanga in Puri.
The cops have also detained Rajendra's son for interrogation. The main accused, Rajendra, is, however, yet to be arrested.
"Now that we have nabbed Joy, we are hopeful of finding Rajendra shortly," said deputy commissioner of police Satyabrata Bhoi.
"Joy said while one shot was fired in the air by one of his brother's associates, Rajendra had fired two bullets from another pistol. The first bullet missed the contractor, but the other one hit him and killing him instantly," said a police officer.
A group of around 20 people had attacked Naik on June 18 when he had gone to settle problems with Rajendra. Sources said the owner of the land, where a building was being built, had first awarded the project to Rajendra but stopped the work due to issues related to bill payment.
Then the project was awarded to one Sambhu under whom Naik was working. This had led to differences between Naik and Rajendra.
The police had earlier arrested Rajendra's associates Sarat Kumar Samantray and Surya Kanta Samantray in connection with the murder.
Hundreds of protesters, including the family members of the deceased, had blocked the national highway near Khandagiri police station for around two hours on Monday demanding arrest of Rajendra.#
Builder held
Police today arrested a builder on charges of duping a customer of Rs 13 lakh after promising him to provide a land at Malipada.
The arrested person is Lingaraj Behera, 38, managing director of Capital Golden Real Estate Developers Pvt Ltd and the alleged victim is Badagada resident Manoj Panigarhi.
A police officer said Behera had taken Rs 13 lakh as advance in four instalments from the complainant.
"The accused had even shown the complainant a piece of land, which had already been sold in 1980. The builder, however, refused to pay him back the advance money. Later, Panigrahi lodged a complaint, and we arrested Behera," said a police official.
