Cuttack/Berhampur May 22: Police have begun investigation into yesterday’s firing incident in which a real-estate dealer was shot dead in front of his office at OMP Square within Chauliaganj police limits.
Forensic experts examined the spot today, while special squad has been formed to identify goons involved in the firing. Autopsy of the victim Prashant Padhi, 38, was also conducted at SCB Medical College and Hospital, while markets at OMP Square remained closed today in protest against the killing.
Demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and to express solidarity with the family members of the deceased, traders here kept their shops shut. “We are not aware whether the killing is a fallout of business or personal rivalry, but the incident has shocked traders here and we demand immediate action from the police to nab the killers,” said Akash Sahu, a businessman.
Unidentified goons had shot dead Padhi near his Asha real-estate office in the vicinity of OMP Square at around 8.15 pm on Wednesday night. Sources said that four goons had come in two motorcycles and fired two rounds at Padhi, who was standing near JKBK College a few meters from his office. A bullet hit Padhi’s chest and he was rushed to SCB Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. The police suspect that Padhi was killed over a land related dispute and further investigation was on.
“We had conducted a spot verification and a case has been registered. Prima facie it appears to be a property related dispute, however all angles are being verified,” said deputy commissioner of police Sanjiv Arora.
The family members of the deceased said that a group of people had called Prashant from his shop at around 7.30pm in connection with a land deal.
“I was also present with my brother when he was talking to a local youth and three others about the sale of a land. I had left the spot around 8.15pm and a few minutes after that my brother was shot,” said Prakash Padhi, brother of the deceased.
Teachers shot at
Two young teachers of a private engineering were injured after goons fired at them yesterday in Berhampur. Both of them were rushed to the Bhanjanagar sub-divisional hospital in Kaindi village and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here. Police are yet to ascertain the reason behind the crime.
