Rourkela: A truck driver was arrested by Deogarh police on Wednesday for allegedly mowing down another man on NH-53 after an altercation. The accused also allegedly attempted to run over the victim’s wife, who narrowly escaped.The accused, Sushil Kumar Kishan (43) of Asanlata village under Reamal police limits, allegedly rammed his truck into the couple while they were standing by the roadside after their scooter suffered a puncture.The deceased, Kartik Oram (47) of Mahendrapur village, had gone to Tileibani market with his wife Gita on Tuesday afternoon. Kartik, also a driver by profession, reportedly had a prior dispute with Sushil. While returning home, their scooter tyre got punctured about 1 km ahead of Chati Barghat square on NH-53.As the couple stood beside the road, Sushil arrived in his truck and got into a heated argument with Kartik. Before leaving, he allegedly threatened him. Moments later, he turned back, sped towards the couple and ran the truck over them.Kartik died on the spot, while Gita managed to jump aside, sustaining minor injuries. The accused fled with the vehicle.On being alerted, Deogarh police rushed to the spot and shifted Kartik to the district headquarters hospital, where he was declared dead. Gita, who had briefly lost consciousness, later told police that Sushil intentionally ran them over.Based on her complaint, police registered a murder case on Tuesday night and launched a manhunt. The accused was tracked down and arrested on Wednesday. The truck and the scooter have been seized.“We have arrested the driver and are interrogating him to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder,” said IIC, Deogarh police station, Sabyasachi Satapathy.
