In a significant breakthrough, Commissionerate Police have detained Siba Pradhan, the alleged mastermind behind the murder of AIIMS employee Sudhanshu Khuntia, who was shot dead on October 13 in the Sarkantra area. The killing reportedly stemmed from a long-standing property dispute.
Police sources confirmed that Pradhan was apprehended following a coordinated operation with Khandagiri police. A firearm has also been recovered from him during the arrest.
Earlier, four other suspects linked to the case had been taken into custody. The main accused had evaded arrest for several weeks, causing distress to the victim’s family. Khuntia’s relatives reportedly lived in fear as Pradhan and his associates allegedly issued life threats against them, prompting them to approach the Police Commissioner for immediate action and protection.
Authorities have assured strict action against all involved and are investigating whether any additional accomplices played a role in the crime.
Notably, Khuntia, a lab assistant at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, was shot near Ransinghpur, under Khandagiri Police limits, while he was on his way to work around 8 am on October 13.
