The arrested persons have been identified as prime culprit Munilal Sharma and his associate Kailash Choudhury. However, another accused, Pankaj Sharma, has still remained untraceable. An extra marital relationship between Azad and Pankaj’s wife led to the former’s killing, said Cuttack DCP Pratik Singh.
The DCP said Pankaj had given Rs 20,000 to Munilal to murder Azad, who was staying in Bhubaneswar’s Saheed Nagar area. After taking money, Munilal, who was staying in a rented house in Chauliaganj in Cuttack, called Azad to the Bhuasuni Patha where they drank liquor together on February 25. Finding an opportunity during this time, Munilal pierced a broken liquor bottle into Azad’s belly and then stoned him to death, the DCP said.
Earlier, Azad’s family members had lodged a complaint with the Saheed Nagar police in this regard. The following day, the dead body of Azad was recovered from the Mahanadi riverbed. Azad and the culprits were natives of Bihar. They had been working as painters (colour artisans) in the twin city.
“After arrest, the culprits recreated the murder scene on the spot. We will arrest the third accused soon,” said the DCP.
