Kolabira Police arrested three individuals on Wednesday in connection with the murder of Santosh Naik, a 37-year-old resident of Nuapalli, on December 19, 2024. The murder occurred on Kelendamal Road during an attempted theft. The accused have been identified as Ajay alias Gourab Singh (23), Mantu alias Narendra Singh (26), both from Gudigaon village under Laikera police limits, and Bablu Kisan (23) from Tangarmunda, under Kolabira police limits.
The police took action based on a complaint filed by Kishore Naik (40), Santosh’s older brother, who alleged that his brother was murdered on the night of December 19 while attempting to resist a robbery. The murder was committed with a sharp weapon. Police, under the direction of SP Jharsuguda, SDPO Jharsuguda, and IIC Laikera police station, conducted raids, analyzed call records, and gathered intelligence leading to the arrests.
The investigation revealed that Santosh Naik, traveling on his motorcycle, got stranded due to a puncture on Kelendamal Road. Two of the accused noticed him alone and called their accomplices to steal his bike. The four suspects arrived, with two keeping watch while the other two attempted to steal the motorcycle at knifepoint. When Santosh resisted, one of the accused fatally stabbed him. The group fled the scene, taking the motorcycle and other belongings. However, they abandoned the stolen bike when they realized Santosh had died.
Of the four accused, three were arrested on Wednesday, while one suspect remains on the run.
