Kendrapara: Police have arrested seven more persons in connection with the kidnapping and murder of Gouranga Sethi of Mahadei Patana village under Aul Police Station limits in Kendrapara district, taking the total number of arrests in the case to eight.
According to police, one accused, identified as Pratap Mahakud, was arrested on June 3. On Monday, police apprehended seven more accused — Manoj Sahu, Nalinikanta Sahu, Sanjay Kabi, Bablu Das, Bablu Mahakud, Lipu Mahakud and Tutuni Mahakud.
Police said they seized an iron rod allegedly used in the murder, several mobile phones and a Bolero SUV believed to have been used during the commission of the crime.
Addressing a press conference, Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria said the investigation revealed that the accused had assaulted Gouranga Sethi on the evening of May 27 following a dispute related to a broken vehicle window. The victim was subsequently abducted by the accused persons.
After days of investigation, police recovered Gouranga’s body from the Juania area on June 7.
The SP further stated that five more individuals are suspected to be involved in the crime and efforts are underway to trace and arrest them.
Police said the investigation is continuing and further arrests are likely as the probe progresses.
