Puri: Police on Monday arrested three persons for allegedly murdering a 61-year-old tantrik (occult practitioner) at his home in Puri district after he failed to fulfil promises involving a love affair and hidden treasure, an official said.
The accused were identified as Raj Kishore Sahoo (32), Satyabrata Mallick (19) and Suresh Sahoo (22), all from Khordha district.
According to police, tantrik Parshuram Pradhan was stabbed and burnt alive at his home in Mandarabasta village under Kanas police limits on the night of August 11, when his family members were away in Bhubaneswar.
The incident came to light two days later when Pradhan’s wife, Kanaklata Sethi (51), returned home and found his charred remains.
Police said Raj Kishore, the prime accused, had approached Pradhan seeking his help to end his younger brother’s relationship with a girl, which was opposed by the family.
Pradhan allegedly charged Rs 19,000 for performing a ritual to end the relationship. However, when the ritual failed, he allegedly told Raj Kishore that a 1.7-kg antique gold idol and hidden treasure were buried on his land.
Raj Kishore allegedly paid another Rs 2 lakh to Pradhan after being promised that the exact location of the treasure would be revealed, police said.
When neither promise materialised, Raj Kishore demanded his money back, following which he allegedly decided to confront Pradhan.
“Raj Kishore, accompanied by his two associates, went to Pradhan’s house on the night of August 11. He was carrying a knife, chilli powder and ropes,” Singh said.
When Pradhan refused to return the money, an argument broke out, the SP said.
“Raj Kishore stabbed Pradhan and gagged him to prevent him from raising an alarm. The three accused then tied him up and set him ablaze,” Singh said.
Police said the accused allegedly placed a gas cylinder at the spot in an attempt to make the death appear accidental. However, investigators found no evidence of an explosion.
The breakthrough came after police examined the deceased’s call records and online banking transactions. The digital transactions allegedly helped investigators establish the financial dealings between Pradhan and Raj Kishore.
