Rickshaw puller ‘attacks’ Odisha lawyer in Puri

A shocking incident of violence has been reported from Puri, where a lawyer was brutally attacked by a rickshaw puller on Wednesday. The victim, identified as advocate Raghunath Pattnaik, sustained grievous injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Puri District Headquarters Hospital.

According to sources, the incident took place at Dolamandap Sahi, under Puri Town Police Station limits. Eyewitnesses alleged that the rickshaw puller launched a sudden and violent assault on the lawyer, striking him repeatedly. 

In the attack, Pattnaik suffered severe injuries to his head and chest, leaving him profusely bleeding and in a critical condition.

Local residents immediately alerted police, who reached the spot and rushed the injured advocate to the hospital. Doctors attending to him described his condition as serious but stable, with multiple deep wounds that required emergency medical intervention.

Meanwhile, the accused rickshaw puller fled the scene soon after the incident. Police have launched a manhunt to trace him. However, the exact motive behind the brutal assault is yet to be ascertained.

The attack has sent shockwaves across the locality, with members of the legal fraternity and residents expressing deep concern over rising incidents of violence in public spaces. Police have assured that the case is being treated with priority and further investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances that led to the assault.