Jajpur: A motorcyclist was grievously injured after the pillion rider, whom the biker had offered a lift, attacked him near Sahapur haat along the National Highway No. 16 in Panikoili police limits of the district on late Monday night.

The injured, identified as Madhab Senapaty, 39, of Baghanata village at Karada in the district, was rushed to Madhuban community health centre and later had to be shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated, police said.

The attacker, identified as Musa of Talagadia village, fled the scene after attacking Senapaty, the police said.

The police said Senapthy, a businessman, was returning home on his motorcycle after closing his medicine shop at Apsarpur on Monday night. Musa, who was waiting near Sahapur on the highway to go Panikoili, asked Senapaty for a lift. As Musa was known to the biker, he agreed.

"Musa allegedly attacked the rider with a sharp weapon from behind just few yards from Sahapur. Senapaty fell down with the bike," said Panikoili police station inspector-in-charge Ajay Kumar Jena.

"He was profusely bleeding and lying on road. The accused fled the spot," the police officer said.

Some passers-by spotted Senapaty lying on the road and informed the police.

The police suspect business rivalry might have been the reason behind the attack.

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