Youth dies following group attack in Bhubaneswar; minor detained, five accused absconding

A youth, who was critically injured in a group attack in Bhubaneswar’s Nayapalli area last month, succumbed to his injuries on Thursday, turning the assault into a murder case and triggering renewed questions over the police response, as several accused remain at large.

The deceased has been identified as Jitun Das, alias Babul, a resident of Nayapalli Nua Sahi. He worked as a driver and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital, where he died after battling serious injuries. The attack had taken place on the road in broad daylight on the December 27, when he was sitting outside his house.

Following his death, Nayapalli police registered a murder case and stated that an investigation is under way.

Sequence Of Events

As per reports, Babul Das was sitting outside his residence when around five individuals arrived at the spot in an auto rickshaw and allegedly attacked him. He was immediately rushed to Capital Hospital and later shifted to a private hospital for advanced treatment. Police were informed soon after the incident and reached the spot.

Investigators indicated that previous enmity was the motive behind the attack. Sources said the deceased and the accused had an altercation during last year’s Ganesh Puja, following which a complaint was reportedly filed with Capital Police.

Accused At Large, Minor Detained

So far, five accused are reportedly absconding. In connection with the case, police detained a minor for allegedly assisting the attackers and sent him to a correctional home.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the delay in arrests, as no main accused have been apprehended even nearly a week after the incident.

Family Seeks Justice

A relative of the deceased said, “We do not want anything except justice. He was the sole earning member of his family.”

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Notably, the attack occurred at a time when the Commissionerate Police was in the process of strengthening security arrangements across Bhubaneswar ahead of the New Year, as sources said.