In a chilling case of family betrayal and property dispute, Cuttack police arrested three individuals, including a woman, for the murder of 55-year-old Ashok Barik on Wednesday night at Buxi Bazar.
The accused have been identified as:
Umesh Barik (53)
Saraswati Swain (39)
Sowyum Pravu Shreecharana (19)
All are residents of Sankarpur and family members of the deceased.
According to police, the murder was premeditated and rooted in a long-standing conflict over ancestral property located in Urali and Salepur. The victim, Ashok Barik, had opposed the sale of these properties, reportedly leading to growing tensions with the other family members.
DCP (Cuttack) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo stated that the trio arrived at the crime scene on two motorcycles and waited until midnight. Once the area was clear, they attacked Ashok while he was sleeping on the verandah of a restaurant in the CDA market complex, killing him with a sharp weapon—believed to be an iron billhook.
Ashok was found lying in a pool of blood, and a special police team was formed immediately. Through CCTV footage and forensic evidence, police arrested all three suspects within 24 hours.
Key items seized during the investigation include:
One motorcycle
Two mobile phones
An iron billhook (alleged murder weapon)
Police are also tracking another suspect believed to be connected to the case.
The incident has sparked public outrage and highlighted the growing number of violent disputes over property within families.
