Bhubaneswar: A garage owner was shot dead inside his workshop by a man in Nayagarh district on Sunday evening, in what police described as a fallout of long-standing enmity stemming from an elopement case. The accused, Dilip Mantri (35) of Sidhamula village, was arrested within an hour of the crime.
Incident Details
The deceased, Rabindra Nayak (25), was in his garage around 8 pm when Mantri arrived in a car. Witnesses reported that the two exchanged heated words before Mantri allegedly pulled out a country-made firearm, commonly used for hunting, and fired at Nayak. According to police sources, Nayak was taken to the nearby government hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Motive Behind the Murder
Nayagarh Superintendent of Police Suvendu Kumar Patra stated, "Deceased Nayak's elder brother had eloped with Mantri's wife in October 2025, allegedly with Nayak's assistance. Since then, Mantri had been nursing a grudge and seeking revenge." This long-standing enmity culminated in the fatal shooting.
Swift Police Action
After committing the crime, Mantri attempted to flee. "Acting swiftly on the statements of two eyewitnesses, we sealed all exit routes and formed a special team. He was arrested within an hour," said Patra. Police are also investigating the source of the firearm used in the killing.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to uncover any additional details regarding the case. The incident highlights the dangers of unresolved personal conflicts escalating into violence.
