Berhampur, Nov 21: Hardcore criminal Anant Patnaik was reportedly killed by a rival group on Badagada road in the Aska area of Ganjam district last night. 

Ananta Patnaik was a resident of College Chhack under Kotinada police station limits. 

According to the information, Ananta with two friends was travelling by motorcycle towards Sheragada when miscreants chased and intercepted them at Badagada. They attacked him with lethal weapons, leading to his death on the spot. 

Frightened over the sudden attack on Ananta, his two companions ran away. 

Anant had over 25 criminal cases against him, informed SDPO Girija Patnaik. 

Police have started an investigaion and are searching for the killers.