Khordha: A youth on Tuesday allegedly murdered his friend by hitting him with an iron rod at the latter’s house at Sagadabhanga village under Siko police outpost in Jankia police limits of Khordha district.
The deceased has been identified as Rashmi Ranjan Baliarsingh. The accused who is absconding has been identified as Somanath Lath of Puri area.
According to reports, deceased Rashmi Ranjan and his friend Somnath were artists and used to perform in plays.
Rashmi Ranjan had got a call from Champatipur village under Ranpur block in Nayagarh district to act in a play on the occasion of New Year. Rashmi Ranjan and Somnath had gone to Champatipur to act in the play last night.
Today early morning the duo returned to Rashmi Ranjan’s house in Sagadabhanga village and went to sleep after finishing their morning chores.
Rashmi Ranjan’s mother who is an ASHA worker left the house at around 7.00 AM to attend to work. When she returned home at around noon, she found the house locked from outside.
Thinking that her son might have gone out with his friend leaving the keys of the house at some neighbour’s place she enquired with her neighbours.
On finding out that neighbours hadn’t seen her son since early morning she suspected foul play.She broke open the lock and was aghast to find her son lying dead in a pool of blood after being hit by an iron rod. While the blood stained iron rod was lying on the floor of the house her son’s friend Somnath was missing.
Accused Somnath had allegedly fled the spot soon after committing the crime.
On being informed Jankia police have launched an investigation into the murder with the aid of scientific team.
