Bhubaneswar: Sahadev Nayak, an active social worker and President of the BMC Safai Karmachari (Sanitation Employees) Association, was brutally murdered in busy Rasulgarh area of Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, at a time when the city was geared up for the vibrant Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) celebrations. The horrifying murder, despite heavy security blanket for PBD, has sent shockwaves across the city.
City DCP Pinak Mishra informed that Special Squad of the Commissionerate Police has arrested five persons, including two women, in connection with the murder of Sahadev Nayak.
Wednesday morning, Nayak was returning home after leaving his daughter at her school in the VSS Nagar area, when four bike-borne miscreants intercepted him on the railway over-bridge near Rasulgarh square and attacked him with a sharp weapon. The accused fled the crime scene leaving Nayak in a pool of blood. Saheed Nagar and Mancheswar Police immediately reached the spot and rushed the victim to Capital Hospital where the doctors declared him dead.
Victim And Accused Identified From Vehicle Numbers
The accused launched such brutal assault on the victim that one end of the murder weapon got stuck in Nayak's neck. His face was completely mutilated. DCP Mishra stated that upon verification of registration number of scooter found near the dead body, it was revealed that the deceased was Sahadev Nayak of Kedarpalli slum under the Capital Police station area. Sources said he worked as a Police Mitra under the 'Basti Ku Chala' campaign of city police to keep slums free from crimes and drug trafficking.
Nayak's wife alleged that he has been murdered for exposing the drug syndicate operating in their locality. She demanded stringent action against all those involved in the brutal murder.
Later, police began investigation on the basis of a video reportedly shot by a passerby, in which two persons on a bike, hiding some weapons in a white bag, were seen fleeing the crime scene. Subsequently, police nabbed five accused — Laxmidhar Nayak (prime accused), his wife Lipika Nayak, Rocky Nayak, Laxmi Nayak and Rakesh Nayak from Sharankul area of Nayagarh.
Police on Thursday brought the accused to the murder spot to recreate the crime scene. Preliminary probe suggested that past enmity over brown sugar trade could be the reason behind the killing.