In a chilling act of familial vengeance rooted in a long-simmering land dispute, an employee at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar was fatally shot on Monday morning, allegedly by his own cousin, as he made his way to work.
Rabi Khuntia, also known as Sudhanshu Khuntia, was ambushed and shot at close range around 9 a.m. on October 13 while traveling from his home in Sarakantara, Hata Sahi, under Khandagiri police station limits in Khurda district. The victim, who worked at the prestigious medical institution, succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital, where his younger brother, Debasish Khuntia (24), desperately rushed him for treatment.
In a heart-wrenching revelation, Rabi reportedly whispered to Debasish on the way to AIIMS that his attacker was Siba Pradhan, also known as Sadasiba Pradhan—one of the sons of his paternal uncle, Sukanta Pradhan. This disclosure has propelled police into high gear, leading to the swift arrest of four suspects, including the alleged shooter.
The murder stems from a bitter, decade-old feud over property lines between the Khuntia family and the Pradhan clan, both hailing from the same village. Debasish lodged a formal complaint at Khandagiri police station, detailing how the dispute escalated into threats of violence after Rabi provided key testimony in a related civil suit (Case No. 1244/2019) pending before the Bhubaneswar Civil Court.
“After my brother deposed in court, Sukanta Pradhan and his sons—Chhabi (Suvendu) and Siba—openly threatened to wipe out our family,” Debasish stated in his FIR. The family’s enmity, he added, had turned toxic, with the accused allegedly plotting the hit in retaliation for the legal setback.
Acting on the complaint, initially registered under Sections 103(1)/3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act, police updated the charges to Sections 103(1)/61(2)(a) BNS and 25(1)(a)/27 Arms Act. A team from Khandagiri PS raided the suspects’ hideouts, recovering crucial evidence: a 7.65mm pistol believed to be the murder weapon, along with several mobile phones that could unlock digital trails of the conspiracy.
The accused in custody are:
- Bhalu @ Sukanta Pradhan (50), son of late Rupendra Pradhan
- Chhabi @ Suvendu Pradhan (25), son of Sukanta
- Rakesh Khuntia @ Raka, son of Dhadu Khuntia
- Kanha @ Subrat Sahoo (30), son of Sanjaya Sahoo, a resident of Raghunath Nagar
All four are locals from Sarakantara or nearby areas under Khandagiri jurisdiction. Interrogations are ongoing, with police hinting at deeper involvement from other relatives in the Pradhan-Khuntia rift. “The motive is crystal clear—revenge over land that has poisoned two families for years,” a senior officer told reporters, speaking on condition of anonymity. “We’re piecing together the timeline, and the victim’s last words are damning evidence.”
This brazen daylight attack has sent shockwaves through Bhubaneswar’s medical community and the quiet village of Sarakantara, where neighbours describe the feud as a “ticking bomb.” AIIMS authorities expressed grief over the loss, offering condolences to Rabi’s family and vowing support for the investigation.
As the case unfolds in court, it serves as a stark reminder of how unresolved property disputes can erupt into tragedy, claiming innocent lives in the shadow of justice. Khandagiri police have urged the public to come forward with any leads, emphasising zero tolerance for such vendettas.
