Jharsuguda: In a shocking incident of mistaken identity, a 25-year-old man was allegedly hacked to death by his neighbour at Suldia Lalmunda village under Lakhanpur police station limits in Jharsuguda district around 3 am on Wednesday.
Attack Details
Pradeep Bhoi was sleeping on the veranda of his house when Nilamani Bhoi (57) attacked him with an axe, mistaking him for his elder brother, Uttam Kumar Bhoi (28), police said. Pradeep sustained grievous injuries to his hands, chest and neck. Hearing his screams, family members rushed out but the accused had fled by then. He died before he could be taken to the hospital.
Police Investigation
Jharsuguda SP G R Raghavendra, along with a scientific team and dog squad, launched a probe. A case was registered on the complaint of Uttam. “Nilamani held a grudge against Uttam and planned to eliminate him. Uttam usually slept on the veranda, but for the past two days he had been sleeping inside, while Pradeep slept outside. Mistaking Pradeep for Uttam, the accused attacked him,” the SP said.
Recovery and Arrest
Police said the accused had hidden the axe in a nearby forest, which was later recovered. The body was sent for postmortem and the accused has been arrested.
