In a tragic and brutal incident, three individuals, including a juvenile, have been arrested in connection with the murder of Balaram in Chikiti, located in Odisha’s Ganjam district. The accused have been identified as Sankar Paik (21), Santosh Jena alias Bagha (28), and a 17-year-old juvenile, all residents of villages under the K. Nuagaon police station jurisdiction.
The murder took place late at night when Balaram, who had visited his sister’s house in Chikiti, was returning to his home in Rampur. Around 10 PM, Balaram stopped to chat with his friend Santosh Jena at Dhanaghar Chak. During their conversation, Biprab Mallick joined them. Shortly after, the juvenile and his friend Sankar Paik arrived at the scene.
Tensions escalated when Balaram slapped Biprab Mallick, prompting the juvenile to slap Balaram in retaliation. Although the situation was briefly diffused, the conflict reignited later. Santosh Jena lent his bike to the juvenile to drop Biprab Mallick home in Rampur. However, when the juvenile returned to the scene, Balaram confronted and assaulted him.
The juvenile called Sankar Paik for help, and Paik, along with Santosh Jena, rushed to the location. Finding Balaram assaulting the juvenile, Paik struck Balaram on the head with a stone, inflicting a severe injury. As Balaram weakened and collapsed, the juvenile allegedly stabbed him multiple times in the neck, chest, and abdomen with a kitchen knife.
The trio then fled the scene, discarding the weapon in a nearby field. Police recovered the knife and arrested the suspects. The three accused were presented before a court, and further investigations are ongoing. According to Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M., the investigation is progressing.
