Four Arrested in Khurda's Begunia Murder Case, Police Cite Long-Standing Enmity as Motive
In a significant development, police in Khurda district have arrested four individuals in connection with the murder of a criminal last month in the Begunia area. The arrests, made on Monday, come after a month-long investigation into the fatal shooting of Basudev Parida, a 41-year-old man with a criminal record. Authorities have identified the accused as Ajay Bhujabal, Panchu Pradhan, Kartika Bhujabal, and Manas Subudhi, all of whom are now in custody.
Details of the Murder Incident
The murder occurred on the night of January 19 near the Jamusahi-Dalak road, within the limits of the Begunia police station. According to police reports, the quartet allegedly opened fire on Parida, resulting in his immediate death at the scene. A special investigation team was promptly constituted to handle the case, operating under the supervision of Khurda ASP Nihar Ranjan Pradhan and Begunia police station inspector in-charge Kanhu Charan Swain. This team has been instrumental in piecing together the events leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Background and Motive Behind the Killing
Police investigations reveal that the murder was driven by long-standing enmity between Parida and a group of local rivals. Parida, who had at least nine criminal cases registered against him, was embroiled in ongoing disputes with these individuals. His wife has alleged that his rivals hired contract killers to eliminate him, a claim that police are examining as part of their probe. Khurda SP Vivekanand Sharma confirmed to media sources that old enmity was the primary motive behind the murder, emphasizing that the arrest count may increase as the investigation progresses.
Escalation Over Stone Quarry Control
The rift between Parida and his rivals intensified significantly after he began supervising stone mining operations at a quarry in Khurda. His rivals, who sought to exert control over the quarry, were strongly opposed to his involvement in the operations. Matters came to a head when Parida allegedly slapped one of his rivals and publicly abused one of the arrested men just days before the murder. These incidents are believed to have deepened the grudge against Parida, ultimately leading to the violent confrontation.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
With the four accused now arrested, police are focusing on gathering more information to uncover any additional accomplices or details related to the case. SP Vivekanand Sharma has indicated that the police will seek remand of the accused to facilitate further interrogation and evidence collection. The investigation remains active, with authorities committed to ensuring that all aspects of the crime are thoroughly examined to bring justice in this high-profile murder case.
