Bhubaneswar: Just a few months after GRP constable Soumyaranjan was beaten to death at Balianta, another gruesome murder has rocked the same Balianta police limits on Bhubaneswar’s outskirts.
The deceased has been identified as Smrutiranjan Martha alias Rinku, a resident of Patana village under Balianta police station. He died while undergoing treatment at a private hospital on Thursday.
According to the complaint filed by his wife Mamali Martha, police have registered a murder case. One accused, Mahesh Jena, has been arrested while the others are absconding.
Mamali has alleged police inaction in the case. She claimed she had reported the assault on her husband on the day of the incident itself, but no action was taken. Police swung into action only after her husband’s death, she alleged, accusing them of shielding prime accused Ashok Jena.
Demanding immediate arrest of all accused, the victim’s family members and villagers gheraoed Balianta police station on Thursday.
Sources said Smrutiranjan, a builder residing in Patana, had a dispute with Ashok’s family over a land sale around 20 days ago. On October 20, an argument broke out between Smrutiranjan’s driver and villager Daitari Muduli over an issue at around 4.30 pm.
Smrutiranjan’s younger brother Hritik went to the spot to intervene. At that time, Ashok arrived and abused Hritik. When Hritik objected, Ashok called his two sons, Asit and Ashish. Smrutiranjan also reached the spot after learning about the altercation. Ashok and his family members allegedly attacked the two brothers and repeatedly struck Smrutiranjan on the chest with an iron rod. He collapsed unconscious and was rushed to a private hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday while undergoing treatment.
