Temple turns crime scene as elderly devotee gets beaten to death in Kendrapara

A 61-year-old man was brutally beaten to death inside a temple under Rajnagar police limits in Kendrapara district on Sunday. The crime took place at the Thanapati Temple in Righagada, leaving locals horrified and struggling to come to terms with the brutality that unfolded in a sacred space.

According to preliminary reports, the accused, Chittaranjan Parida, a youth from Hansina Jali village, had gone to the temple to collect bhog (cooked offerings). Witnesses allege that he was in an inebriated state and began creating a ruckus inside the temple. He reportedly hurled obscenities and behaved aggressively, disturbing the sanctity of the premises.

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The elderly man present at the temple confronted him and asked him to stop using abusive language. This simple objection allegedly enraged Chittaranjan, who, in a sudden fit of anger, lunged at the senior citizen, dragged him to the ground, and brutally assaulted him. Shocked devotees nearby immediately rushed to help and transported the grievously injured man to the Rajnagar Community Health Centre. Tragically, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Following the incident, a team from Rajnagar Police reached the spot, secured the crime scene, and detained Chittaranjan along with four other individuals for questioning. Police have launched a detailed investigation to ascertain the sequence of events, the motive behind the attack, and whether others had any role in instigating or aiding the violence.

The gruesome killing inside a place of worship has left the village shaken, raising serious concerns about security and growing instances of alcohol-related violence in rural areas.