Police in Odisha's Keonjhar district have made a breakthrough in a chilling case, arresting a roadside eatery owner and his helper for the alleged murder of a truck driver over an unpaid food bill of just Rs 1,000. The incident, which occurred in early November, was initially treated as an unnatural death but was later confirmed as a homicide following a detailed investigation and postmortem report.
From Unpaid Bill to Brutal Murder
The tragic sequence of events began on November 5. The victim, Sanjay Yadav (50), a resident of Kendua village in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district, had stopped at the dhaba for a meal while on his way to load minerals. After eating, Yadav found himself unable to settle the bill, which led to a heated argument with the dhaba owner.
According to police, the owner, identified as 45-year-old Sankar Prasad Mahato, then called his associate, 35-year-old Mithun Munda, to the scene. The altercation turned violent, and during the scuffle, Mahato allegedly attacked Yadav with an iron rod. The assault was so severe that it killed the truck driver on the spot.
Concealment and Discovery of the Crime
In a bid to hide their crime, the accused allegedly dragged Yadav's body to a nearby field and covered it with grass. The body lay undiscovered for over two weeks. It was finally recovered by authorities on November 23, prompting the Barbil police station to register a case of unnatural death.
The investigation took a decisive turn after the postmortem examination confirmed that Yadav's death was a homicide, a result of murder and not an accident. This crucial finding came approximately 56 days after the initial incident. The case was officially converted into a murder investigation following a formal complaint filed by the victim's grieving wife, Debanti Devi.
Confession, Arrests, and Seizure
During intensive interrogation by the police, the dhaba owner, Sankar Prasad Mahato, reportedly confessed to committing the crime. Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) of Barbil, Debendra Nath Pingua, stated that both accused have now been taken into custody. They were produced before a local court following their arrest.
As key evidence, the police have also seized the alleged murder weapon—the iron rod used in the fatal attack. The swift action by the Keonjhar police highlights their commitment to solving even the most concealed crimes, ensuring justice for the victim's family.
