Cuttack police have arrested five individuals in connection with the murder of 32-year-old Soumya Ranjan Jena, alias Rinku, who was fatally shot during a drunken altercation at Nuapada Press Colony under Madhupatana police limits.
The accused have been identified as Utkal Keshari Pasayat (30), Abhijit Mohanty (25), Priyabrat Tripathy (25), Himanshu Sekhar Nayak (30), and Rudra Prasad Chand (22). The victim sustained gunshot wounds to the chest and upper abdomen on February 18 and later succumbed to his injuries at SCB Medical College and Hospital.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cuttack) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said the incident occurred at an abandoned quarter where the victim and the accused had gathered to consume alcohol. An argument erupted between Soumya and Pasayat, who allegedly fired at the victim in a fit of rage using a country-made pistol.
Police recovered the firearm, two live cartridges, one empty cartridge, a car, a scooter, a motorcycle, and four mobile phones from the accused. Officials said the suspects also tried to remove evidence from the scene.
“The case was detected within 48 hours through scientific investigation, CCTV analysis, and mobile phone tracking,” said Khilari. “The murder appears to be a result of sudden provocation during a drunken altercation. All accused have been produced in court.”
Police are continuing the investigation, including verification of the criminal history of the accused.
