Kamakhyanagar: In a shocking incident, a businessman was reportedly shot dead by unidentified miscreants in Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district of Odisha on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Nirakar Sahu, a resident of Kantioput sahi in Tumusinga. Preliminary investigation revealed that he was a leaseholder of a stone quarry.

Police recovered his body near amango orchard at Souria along Malabandha railway overbridge in Alatuma village within Kamakhyanagar police limits. Apart from the bullet injury on his body, his neck was severely wounded too.

As per reports, Nirakar had recently been released from jail on bail in connection with the murder case of Baruan samiti member Deepak Mohanty in 2021. After his return four months back, he had started the stone quarry business.

Though the exact reason behind the death is not known yet, it is suspected past enmity could have led to the cold-blooded murder. Family members have alleged that Nirakar was killed by some people who were harbouring grudge against him due to his alleged involvement in the Mohanty murder case. "My brother was murdered by some acquaintances of Deepak Mohanty who called him on the pretext of some fire mishap at the site and then killed him," alleged brother Sarbeswar Sahu while addressing mediapersons.

Meanwhile, police have registered a case and started investigation.