Bhubaneswar: The Police Commissionerate of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack on Saturday arrested two men in connection with a shooting incident at a religious institution in Deulipatana.
The arrested persons have been identified as Suraj Rout alias Tinkun (23) from Anaharpur village under Guapokhari police station and Muktikanta Das alias Sriram (28) from Berhampur village under Dhamnagar police station—both residents of Bhadrak district.
According to the police, Jyotrimayee Ray (46), a resident of New AG Colony under Nayapalli police station area, filed a complaint on October 6, stating that her father, Ajaya Samantaray, manages a religious institution known as “Bhai Bhai Matha” located at Plot No. ADPX 2800, Deulipatana Mauza. The temple is maintained by Jiban Das.
On the evening of October 5, while Jyotrimayee Ray and her family were celebrating a festival inside the premises, two masked assailants entered and opened fire on her brother, Sunil Kumar Barik alias Somu, and another person Ashok Mohanty. Sunil Kumar Barik sustained serious bullet injuries and was admitted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, where he remains in stable condition. Ashok Mohanty was unhurt as the bullet struck his mobile phone and deflected.
Investigation revealed that Ajaya Samantaray, a self-styled “Baba,” has been running the Matha, which attracts numerous devotees seeking blessings for health, education, and fortune.
During the operation, the police seized one country-made pistol (7.65 mm), which was the weapon of offence, along with four live 7.65 mm cartridges. Additionally, three mobile phones belonging to the accused were confiscated. A white-coloured Bullet motorcycle bearing registration number OD22W-0515 was also recovered.
In a related development, a minor girl had visited the Matha in 2022 with her mother, following the advice of relative Sukanta Biswal. The girl later alleged repeated sexual assault by Ajaya Samantaray and Sukanta Biswal. After her marriage, she confided in her husband, Suraj Rout, who then conspired with Muktikanta Das to avenge the assaults.
The accused procured firearms from Uttar Pradesh and made two failed attempts to attack in August 2025 before successfully carrying out the shooting on October 5.
On the night of the incident, the two men arrived from Bhadrak on a motorcycle, armed with 7.65 mm pistols, intending to kill Ajaya Samantaray. When confronted by the temple inmates, they fired indiscriminately, injuring two men.
Following a complaint by the minor victim, Infovally Police registered Case No 268 on October 10 under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Matha has since been sealed.
Ajaya Samantaray (78) of Hansura village, Kujanga police station, Jagatsinghpur district, and Sukanta Kumar Biswal (56) of Nuapokhari village, Bhandaripokhari police station, Bhadrak district, have also been arrested. Biswal is currently employed at the WATCO Pump House in Bharatpur.
Police investigations are ongoing.
