Rourkela: A truck driver was arrested by Deogarh police on Wednesday for allegedly mowing down another man on NH-53 following an altercation. The accused also reportedly attempted to run over the victim's wife, who narrowly escaped with minor injuries.
Incident Details
The accused, Sushil Kumar Kishan (43), a resident of Asanlata village under Reamal police limits, allegedly rammed his truck into Kartik Oram (47) and his wife Gita while they were standing by the roadside after their scooter suffered a puncture. Kartik, a driver by profession from Mahendrapur village, had gone to Tileibani market with his wife on Tuesday afternoon. The couple was returning home when their scooter tyre punctured about one kilometer ahead of Chati Barghat square on NH-53.
As they stood beside the road, Sushil arrived in his truck and engaged in a heated argument with Kartik. Before leaving, he allegedly threatened him. Moments later, he turned back, sped towards the couple, and ran the truck over them.
Fatal Outcome
Kartik died on the spot, while Gita managed to jump aside, sustaining minor injuries. The accused fled the scene with the vehicle. Upon being alerted, Deogarh police rushed to the spot and shifted Kartik to the district headquarters hospital, where he was declared dead. Gita, who briefly lost consciousness, later told police that Sushil intentionally ran them over.
Legal Action
Based on her complaint, police registered a murder case on Tuesday night and launched a manhunt. The accused was tracked down and arrested on Wednesday. The truck and the scooter have been seized. "We have arrested the driver and are interrogating him to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder," said IIC, Deogarh police station, Sabyasachi Satapathy.
