Bhubaneswar, May 9: Barely 24 hours after the shocking mob lynching in Balianta, another brutal murder has sent shockwaves through the capital region. A young man, Rakesh Das of Athantar village under Balipatna police station, was allegedly beaten to death by a group of youths.

Rakesh, who worked as a truck driver, was reportedly approached earlier in the day by two miscreants demanding ₹20,000. They allegedly threatened to kill him if he failed to pay.

Later in the evening, as Rakesh was near Athantar Chhak, more than four youths allegedly attacked him with iron rods and sticks, brutally assaulting him before throwing him into a nearby canal. Family members rescued him and rushed him to Capital Hospital, but doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The police have detained one person for questioning and have launched a detailed investigation into the incident.

This killing has heightened concerns over rising violent crimes in Bhubaneswar’s outskirts, coming on the heels of the Balianta mob lynching, which had triggered widespread outrage. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant while the investigation continues.