Shopkeeper held for killing balloon seller in Sambalpur

Sambalpur: A 45-year-old shopkeeper was arrested on Saturday night for killing a balloon seller near a Durga Puja pandal close to the Kuchinda bus stand in Sambalpur district.Police said the deceased, Guddu Rajak, had come to sell balloons during the celebrations near the old bus stand on Wednesday.

The accused, Ram Lal Agarwal, asked him to not sell balloons in front of his shop.

A heated argument broke out between the two, after which Guddu returned home.The next day, Guddu came back to the same place, carrying a knife to attack the shopkeeper. However, Ram Lal found out about Guddu’s motive. The accused, along with a few others, attacked Guddu first. Guddu lost consciousness after the attack and was taken to Kuchinda sub-divisional hospital where he died on Thursday morning during treatment.

His wife subsequently registered a complaint against Ram Lal.Inspector Bamdev Sankhual of Kuchinda police station said, “The accused has confessed to committing the murder. Some other people are also involved in the incident and we are trying to establish that. The autopsy report will provide details for further investigation.”