Mayurbhanj (Khunta): In a shocking incident, a young man was beaten to death for testifying as an eyewitness in a murder case in Gadigaon village under Khunta Police Station in Mayurbhanj district.
The deceased has been identified as Kanhu Madhei.
According to reports, in November last year, villagers in Dhanghera caught Kanhu and another young man, Bapi Kolhar, allegedly attempting to steal a gas cylinder. Both were assaulted by locals, during which Bapi Kolhar died. Following the incident, the police arrested 11 people in connection with the mob attack, while Kanhu was also imprisoned in the alleged robbery case and was recently released on bail.
Kanhu, who was the sole eyewitness in Bapi Kolhar’s murder case, had appeared in court to testify. After his court appearance, he reportedly had an altercation with relatives of the accused. Subsequently, five youths allegedly chased him in the village and brutally assaulted him, resulting in his death. CCTV footage of the attack has emerged, confirming the assault.
A police official from Khunta Police Station stated last night that an FIR had been filed by Sasidhar Madhei of Gadigaon village, reporting that his son, Kanhu Madhei, had been murdered.
“We recovered the body near Pasupati Patra’s house. Based on CCTV footage, we have identified and detained the prime accused, Dularam Murmu from Bisipur. The dispute dates back to last November, when a case regarding a gas cylinder theft was registered at Udala Police Station. Kanhu had been an eyewitness to that earlier incident. Conflicts over his testimony escalated, culminating in the fatal assault yesterday,” the official added.
Khunta Police have detained one suspect so far and are continuing efforts to apprehend the remaining accused.
A detailed investigation into the brutal killing is underway.
