Keonjhar: Police on Saturday arrested a man accused of murdering Mahima Alekh monk Shrikant Mahakud (60) in Amuni village under Banspal block of Keonjhar district on Friday. The accused has been identified as Pateswar Barik (26) of Amuni village.
Murder Linked to Land Dispute
Police said the accused told them the murder was linked to a land dispute. A murder case was registered at Sadar Police Station based on a complaint filed by the victim’s family, and a probe was launched.
Details of the Incident
According to police, Mahakud worshipped at the Binida Alekh Mahima Mutt near Mahakud village. As part of his daily routine, he went to bathe in a pond near his house around 5 am on Friday when he was attacked. Investigators said the accused allegedly struck Mahakud on the head with a brick and fled. The body was seized and sent for post-mortem.
Confession and Evidence Recovery
Sadar police station IIC Amit Kumar Bhuyan said the accused confessed during interrogation and recreated the crime scene. Police also recovered the brick allegedly used in the crime from under a tree on Binida Road.
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