Brahmapur: A 28-year-old noted criminal was killed after his friend allegedly slashed his throat during a drunken brawl in Odisha’s Brahmapur, police said Sunday.
The incident took place at Nimakhandi when the two, along with two others, were consuming liquor Saturday night.
An argument ensued between Tuna Nayak, who was wanted in at least eight criminal cases including murder and attempt to murder, and his friend and fast food shop owner Bitu Sahu (28), better known as Raghab, following which the gangster slapped his friend.
The sudden slap angered Sahu, who brought a knife kept in the boot of his scooter and slit Nayak’s throat, leading to his death on the spot, Brahmapur Superintendent of Police Abhinav Sonkar said.
“The accused was trying to flee on his scooter but was nabbed during a vehicle-checking drive when police personnel got alarmed by his blood-soaked clothes and detained him. During questioning, he confessed to having committed the murder,” the SP said.
The accused was arrested, and the knife used in the crime was seized, a police officer said.
The role of the two others in the murder has not been established yet, he added.
A case has been registered at Nimakhandi police station and an investigation has been launched. A forensic team visited the spot to collect evidence.