Police have arrested Basudev Bhati, one of three suspects accused of brutally murdering 77-year-old Sobhakar Bhati, his own uncle, following a long-standing land dispute in Parlimal village.
The incident occurred on the night of August 2, when an argument escalated between the victim and his nephew Basudev, along with Parsuram Bhati and Udhab Bhati. According to police, the trio attacked Sobhakar with a wooden log before one of them struck him on the head with an axe, fatally wounding him.
Ananta Padhan, inspector in-charge of Belpada police station, confirmed the arrest:
“We have arrested one accused who was hiding in a forest and have sent him to judicial custody. The other two are absconding.”
After the attack, Sobhakar was rushed to Belpada hospital, then referred to Bhima Bhoi Medical College, and later to VIMSAR, Burla, where he succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.
The victim’s son, Nilamani Bhati, stated that the family had a long-running feud over ancestral land, which had frequently led to tension and confrontation.
A manhunt is underway for the remaining two accused. Police are appealing to locals to come forward with any information about their whereabouts.
