Bhubaneswar, Odisha: In a major development, police have arrested Somnath Behera, the owner of the Thar SUV allegedly involved in the fatal hit-and-run case at Patrapada on Rakhi Purnima (August 9) that claimed the lives of eight-year-old Reshma Raul and her mother Rebati Raul. The arrest was made in Puri, Commissionerate Police confirmed.
The incident, which occurred during a reckless street race between a Thar and a Scorpio, had sparked statewide outrage and protests in the Phuleshwari and Patrapada areas of Bhubaneswar.
On the night of August 9, the racing vehicles struck Reshma, her mother Rebati, and her younger brother.
Reshma died on the spot
Rebati succumbed days later at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
The brother remains under treatment at a private hospital
Somnath Behera – Thar owner, arrested from Puri
Ankit Sahu – Scorpio driver, detained
Krushnachandra Pradhan – Associate of Scorpio driver
Rohan Ranjan Raut – Scorpio owner, son of liquor trader from Patia
Soham Raj Tripathy – Accomplice, bank manager from Delhi
Raut and Tripathy had fled to Manali and later Delhi before being caught. Both vehicles were seized, and the driving licenses of the accused were suspended.
The case ignited intense public anger, with victims’ families demanding capital punishment for the accused.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced Rs8 lakh compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund — Rs4 lakh each for the deceased.
