Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the shocking attack at Kolathia under Khandagiri police station has climbed to two after the injured father of the murdered youth died while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The deceased has been identified as Himanshu Padhi (54), a local temple priest. He succumbed to his critical injuries sustained during the assault. His daughter, Tapasi Padhi, who was also injured while trying to protect her family, remains under medical care.
The incident took place in the early hours of Monday when two unidentified men, wearing masks, broke into the family’s house and brutally assaulted 20-year-old Krushna Chandra Padhi, also known as Buddhi, with an iron rod. Krushna, a second-year undergraduate student and native of Sorada in Ganjam district, died on Monday morning while undergoing treatment.
Himanshu and his daughter Tapasi were seriously hurt when they intervened to save Krushna from the attackers. Himanshu was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a critical state, where he later passed away.
The Padhi family had been living on a relative’s house at Kolathia along National Highway-16 for nearly two decades. The family had already faced tragedy after losing Krushna’s mother around a year ago.
Police suspect the gruesome attack may be linked to a triangular love affair.
A thorough investigation is underway. Police are analysing CCTV footage from the area and have collected forensic evidence from the spot. Efforts are on to identify and arrest the two masked assailants who fled after the attack.
