Four arrested for AIIMS laboratory attendant’s murder

Bhubaneswar: Khandagiri police arrested four persons on Tuesday for their alleged involvement in the daylight murder of AIIMS lab attendant Sudhansu Khuntia (25) on Monday.The primary accused, Khuntia’s cousin Sadasiba Pradhan, also known as Siba, is on the run.

The arrested men include Siba’s younger brother Suvendu Pradhan (23), their father Sukanta Pradhan (50), and two accomplices, Rakesh Khuntia (27) and Subrat Sahoo (30).

Assistant commissioner of police (Zone-3), Tapas Chandra Pradhan, said a long-standing family dispute over ancestral property was the motive behind the murder.“Efforts are underway to locate and arrest Siba, who carried out the murder alone, while the other four were involved in the conspiracy,” Pradhan said.

Police revealed that the deceased recently provided testimony in a civil court here regarding the land dispute, which has been going on for 7 to 8 years. According to the investigation, the main accused, along with the four conspirators, plotted to eliminate Khuntia due to the property dispute a few days ago.On Monday morning, while Khuntia was en route to work, Siba allegedly shot him and fled. After the crime, Siba reportedly handed the illegal country-made pistol to Sahoo. Police have seized the weapon used in the offence. “When Siba is arrested, we will be able to know how he sourced the illegal firearm,” Pradhan said.