Bolangir: Town police Wednesday solved the mystery behind the demise of a youth who was charred inside his betel shop after two miscreants set it on fire while he was asleep after a day’s hard work.
Preliminary probe revealed, the heinous crime was over a previous enmity. Police arrested two persons of the same locality suspecting their hand in the crime.
The deceased was identified as Suraj Kheti (30) of Malpada area, owner of a make-shift shop adjacent to Law College boundary wall at PP Academy Chhak in Bolangir.
According to the case diary, the incident occurred November 28 while Suraj was sleeping inside his shop after a day’s work. Meanwhile, two miscreants in a pre-planned manner bolted the shop door from outside and set it on fire, killing Suraj on the spot.
Locals thought the fire broke out following a short-circuit. However, as there was only one wire and a bulb in the shop, there was very less chances of short-circuit.
While the exact reason of the inferno was not known immediately, family members suspected that someone had intentionally set the shop on fire over a past enmity.
“The fire was so intense that it resulted in his death in no time. I think this is intentional,” alleged Kanha Kheti, elder brother of the deceased. Kanha cried foul and alleged that his brother was killed by two local narcotics traders.
Acting on a complaint by Kanha Kheti, elder brother of the deceased, police registered a case and launched a probe. The investigation revealed that accused duo deliberately set Suraj’s betel shop on fire when he was asleep, leading to his death. It was a pre-planned murder over past enmity, the police said.
PNN