Puri, June 11 (UNI) In a shocking incident, octogenarian servitor of Sri Jagannath Temple Jagannath Dikshit of Mahasuar Sahi was brutally murdered by one Narayan Pattajoshi of Gudia Sahi on Wednesday afternoon.
The nephew of the deceased filed a complaint at the Town Police Station, alleging that Narayan had killed Jagannath and then fled from the scene.
Police said the body was found lying in a pool of blood, and the entire incident was captured on the CCTV camera of a neighboring house.
A case of murder has been registered, and the body was seized and sent to the district headquarters hospital for post-mortem examination.
This shocking incident occurred in broad daylight while the pilgrim town was immersed in religious fervor during the holy bathing of the trinity of Sri Jagannath Temple.
The Snan Yatra festivities were being conducted amid tight security, with nearly 70 platoons of police force deployed to ensure smooth proceedings.
The incident took place when Jagannath was returning home after performing his daily duties at the Sri Jagannath temple.
A local resident told police that CCTV footage from his house clearly showed Jagannath’s body was thrown onto the road.
Although the exact cause of the murder is still unclear, locals said the two had a monetary dispute. Jagannath had taken a loan from Narayan but had failed to repay it despite several reminders.
The two reportedly had a heated argument over the issue before the ghastly crime that led to the tragic murder of the servitor.
Puri SP Vinit Agrawal said a case has been registered at the Town Police Station and that the accused has been arrested by the town police.
