Khordha, Jan 20: A 42-year-old man was shot dead in Begunia, Khordha district, on Monday night in a suspected case of murder linked to past business rivalry. The attack occurred around 8 pm on the Dallak–Samantaraypur road, where Basudev Parida alias Tutu, a resident of Jamusahi under Deuli panchayat, was gunned down by unidentified assailants.

Preliminary investigations suggest the murder may be connected to enmity over mining-related business disputes. Basudev, who was out for a walk, was shot at close range by the attackers, sustaining two bullet wounds-one to his head and another to his chest. The bullet that hit his head exited his body, while the second bullet was found at the crime scene. Basudev died immediately.

Eyewitnesses reported that Basudev had briefly spoken to a few youths on his way when two armed assailants on a black Bullet motorcycle (OD 33 AO 9986) approached him. The assailants fired multiple rounds before fleeing the scene into a nearby forest. Local residents, alerted by the gunshots, rushed to the site, but the attackers had already escaped, abandoning their motorcycle.

The police have seized the abandoned motorcycle and initiated an investigation into the case. No formal complaint has been filed yet, and no arrests have been made. Authorities suspect that the murder stemmed from personal rivalry and disputes in the mining business. Further investigation is underway.