Krushna Chandra Pratihari murder: Puri Police forms 4-member SIT to expedite probe

Puri: In order to ensure early submission of charge sheet in the Shree Jagannatha Temple Servitor Krushna Chandra Pratihari murder case, the Puri District Police has formed a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to expedite the evidence collection.

As the top most priority of the Puri Police is to collect sufficient evidence and submit charge sheet in the Pratihari murder case early, Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh formed the SIT to expedite completion of the probe.

Police official sources said the SIT will be led by Additional SP Puri, Mihir Panda. Other members of the SIT are DSP City, IIC Baliapanda and IIC Baseli Sahi. The SIT members will assist the Investigating Officer in probe.

Panda will supervise and monitor the evidence collection and progress of investigation on a day-to-day basis and ensure charge sheet is submitted early, the Police official sources added.

As per the direction of the Puri court in the Pratihari murder case, the District Police has taken the four main accused into a three-day police remand. The accused – Tutu Mahapatra, Kunmuni Suar, Baba Mahapatra and Hari Panda were present at the spot, said police official sources.

Out of the four accused, two were taken to the crime spot for purpose of investigation and recreation of the crime scene today.

Further investigation is on. Other accused will also be brought to crime spot at appropriate time, the police official sources said.

On March 16 morning, Pratihari was shot at point-blank range by unidentified miscreants near the Barabati area in Puri. The servitor was rushed to the hospital where a doctor declared him dead.

Pratihari, the secretary of Suar Mahasuar Nijog of the temple, was acquitted along with five others, on January 20, in the sensational murder of former BJD councillor and servitor Taluchha Bhagaban Mohapatra alias Guna Singhari.