‘Supari killers’ sent to eliminate groom on wedding day in Odisha, 7 arrested

Police in Odisha’s Bolangir district apprehended at least seven persons after a suspected attempt to carry out a contract killing during a wedding procession was thwarted by vigilant villagers on Sunday. 

The incident occurred in Bawajuri village under Deogaon police jurisdiction in the district. 

As per initial reports, the groom Rajkumar Pradhan from Gaibahal village had gone to Bawajuri village in a 'baraat' procession as part of his marriage with a girl from the village when a group of around ten individuals, suspected to be intoxicated, allegedly launched an armed assault on the groom. However, alert villagers overpowered seven of the assailants and handed them over to police. 

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Origins of the Suspects

Those arrested are reportedly from nearby villages. Law enforcement officials confiscated several deadly weapons, including a locally manufactured firearm, from the accused. 

Ongoing Investigation

An investigation is reportedly underway to identify who orchestrated the attack and the motive behind it. 

Sources said that the detained youths were allegedly sent by one Sushant Biswal who is missing after the incident. His mobile phone is also switched off. The exact reason why he allegedly sent the contract killers to eliminate the groom is not clear.

Brother of the groom said, “We had gone to the village with ‘barrat’ for the marriage of my brother. We do not have any information as to why the youths were sent to kill my brother as he does not have any enmity with anyone. The youths were armed with guns and other weapons.”