Jeypore, Nov 12: Town Police station has arrested seven persons including two women in connection with the murder of a 75-year-old priest of Maa Budithakurani temple of Koraput.
The accused have been identified as Saraswati Jani, Rama Gouda, Pratap Takri, Kishan Bag, Niraj Benia, Mahendra Panigrahi and Ashok Ray. Police have seized cash worth Rs 15,000, gold and silver ornament and six mobile phones from the accused.
Police said that robbery was the motive behind the murder. “The accused tied his legs and put a cloth on his mouth which led to his death. Further investigation in the case is continuing,” said a police official.
The priest identified as Ramesh Chandra Tripathy was found dead in his house on Tuesday night. Tripathy, a retired employee, was running the temple after his retirement and residing at the back side of the temple alone. On Wednesday morning, the maidservant of the priest found Tripathy lying with his hands and legs tied with a rope.
