Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police on Monday said that the assassins, who executed the brutal murder of a sweet stall owner at Samantrapur square on October 4, were paid Rs 10,000 of a total contract killing amount (supari) of Rs 50,000 for the crime.
Speaking to mediapersons in a press conference here, Commissioner of Police for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Dr Sudhansu Sarangi confirmed that the murder of Prabhakar Sahoo (Sambhu) was the outcome of past enmity and business rivalry with one of the accused Balaram Behera.
Earlier today, a special squad of Commissionerate Police led by ACP Sanjeev Satapathy arrested the two contract (supari) killers identified as Sritik Biswal and Ashutosh Mohanty from Tumudibandha area of Kandhamal district while another person Abhijit Sahoo was arrested for giving them shelter.
"Sritik chased and hacked Sambhu to death, while Asutosh was riding the bike. Several cases have been pending against Sritik for his involvement in various crimes. Police have also seized weapon and bike used in the murder," informed Sarangi.
Earlier on October 9, the prime accused Rajkishore Behera alias Raja had surrendered before the court of the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) in Bhubaneswar.
Later on October 8, the Commissionerate Police had arrested five persons including Raja's parents- Dilip Behera, Sasmita Behera and grandfather Balaram Behera, Rashmi Ranjan Barik and Biswajit Barik for their involvement in the case.
"Deceased Prabhakar Sahoo (Sambhu) was working as a confectioner in the accused Balaram Behera's sweet shop and later opened his own sweet business. This led to the decline in the sale at Behera's sweet shop. Earlier, Raja and his accomplices had vandalised Sambhu's shop which was reported at the police station," stated Sarangi.
Although after police intervention the matter was resolved and Balaram Behera paid Rs 10,000 to Sambhu as compensation, the business rivalry did not end there as Balaram continued suffering losses," added Sarangi.
Later, Raja hatched a plan to eliminate Sambhu and made a deal of Rs 50,000 with the supari killers. He paid the assailants- Sritik and Ashutosh Rs 10,000 as advance to execute to crime and also promised to bear lawyer charges.
The Commissionerate Police is also trying to bring Raja on remand for further interrogation. The charge sheet in connection with the case will be forwarded to the court by the police soon, informed Sarangi in the press briefing.
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
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