Berhampur: Police on Sunday detained two 16-year-old juveniles, including a Plus II student for their alleged involvement in beating a Kandhamal man to death over suspicion of theft at Sardul village in Ganjam district on Friday night. Police had arrested 20 people in connection with the case on Saturday.Police said the teenagers were the main accused in beating Banadhar Pradhan of Kandhamla’s Kurumingia after tying him to an electric pole in Sardul. Police rescued him in critical condition and rushed him to the sub-divisional hospital, Bhanjanagar, where doctors declared him dead.
“Some more persons, allegedly involved in the case, are on the run. Raids are being conducted in various places to nab them,” said Jeebanananda Jena, inspector in-charge, Bhanjanagar police station. He said the body was handed over to his family members after autopsy.Bikram Pradhan, Banadhar’s son, said his father used to sell vegetables. “He left the house three days ago to collect vegetables. My father was not involved in theft,” he said.Sources said at least three persons, including Banadhar, allegedly looted valuables from the locked house of Sushant Gouda in Sardul. On spotting them, a neighbour had raised an alarm. While villagers caught Banadhar, others managed to escape.
