Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the city, two school students — a Class 10 and a Class 12 students — have been arrested for the double murder of a family at Kolathia under Khandagiri police station limits in Bhubaneswar.
The accused, both minors, were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on Tuesday, police said. Commissioner of Police confirmed that the two students had no prior criminal record but had meticulously planned the attack.
The victims include 20-year-old Krushna Chandra Padhi (also known as Buddhi), a second-year B.Sc student, and his father Himanshu Padhi (54), a local temple priest. Krushna’s sister, Tapasi Padhi, remains critically injured and is undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
According to police, the attack took place around 2 am on Monday when two masked assailants scaled the wall of the family’s rented house along National Highway-16 and entered the premises. They dragged Krushna out and repeatedly struck him on the head with iron rods. When his father and sister rushed to his rescue, they too were brutally assaulted. The attackers reportedly used chilli powder during the assault.
Krushna succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning. His father, who was shifted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition, died on Tuesday, taking the death toll to two. Tapasi continues to battle for her life.
Preliminary investigation suggests the murders stem from a long-standing dispute linked to a love affair. One of the accused allegedly held Krushna responsible for harassing her classmate, a grudge that had persisted for nearly a year, leading to the murder plot.
The Padhi family, originally from Sorada in Ganjam district, had been living in a relative’s house at Kolathia for nearly two decades. The family had already suffered a tragedy with the death of Krushna’s mother about a year ago.
Police identified the accused after analysing CCTV footage from the area. The two students were arrested late on Monday night. Forensic teams, a dog squad, and scientific officers examined the crime scene, while iron rods and other evidence were reportedly recovered.
Khandagiri police have registered a case and are continuing further investigation. The accused have been remanded to juvenile custody as per law.
