Baripada: A businessman was shot dead by unidentified miscreants over suspected business rivalry near Palabani on NH-18 under Baripada Town Police Station in Mayurbhanj district late last night.
The deceased was identified as Partha Sarathi Das, a wholesaler of Station Bazaar.
Sources said Partha did not return home from his shop last night and his mobile phone was switched off. Locals found his body along with a motorcycle on a field near Palabani this morning and informed the police. On receiving information, police along with a scientific team reached the spot and started investigation into the incident. The cops also seized a few empty bullet cases from the spot.
It is suspected that Das has been murdered by some miscreants over business rivalry. Meanwhile, the incident has spread panic among locals.
His wife Anupriya Das said, “Partha had no enmity with anyone as far as I know. He has always been concerned about family and business only.”