Murder for Rs 40: Auto rickshaw driver kills passenger in a fit of rage

Jajpur: A verbal duel over a paltry Rs 40 could lead to the death of a person was revealed after police today arrested an accused, an auto driver, in a murder case that took place here on January 21.

Deepak Pati, the accused, revealed the gory details of the incident during interrogation.

As per sources, one Rabindra Nayak hired Pati’s auto from Budhaghat area to go to his village on January 21. Though Nayak had promised to give Rs 50 as the fare, he only gave Rs 10 to Pati following which a heated argument ensued between the two.

In the heat of the moment, an agitated Pati along with his associate Amulya attacked Nayak with a wooden plank killing him on the spot. The duo later burnt Nayak's body to destroy the evidence and fled the spot.

"We had recovered a half burnt body from the roadside and initiated a probe into the matter. The driver has been arrested while his associate is still at large. Further investigation is on," said Jajpur SDPO Prashant Kumar Malla.