In a significant breakthrough, Bolangir police have solved the chilling Chimnibhatipada murder case that shook the town, arresting hardcore criminal Chinu alias Rajib Pattnaik for the brutal killing of truck driver Rama Das.
The incident, which occurred on April 12, 2025, around 12:30 PM in Bolangir, had sparked widespread fear and outrage due to a recent spate of murders in the district. The arrest was confirmed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhilash G at a press conference at the Reserve Police Office.
The case unfolded when Rama Das, a truck driver involved in money lending, failed to repay funds he had borrowed from Chinu Pattnaik on behalf of others. According to the police, Ram Das acted as a middleman in lending transactions, earning profits by facilitating loans at high interest rates, reportedly charging Rs. 500 per day on certain loans. However, his failure to repay Pattnaik for two months led to mounting tensions. On the day of the murder, a heated argument broke out between the two on Chimnibhatipada Road. The confrontation escalated into a physical altercation, culminating in Pattnaik striking Ram Das on the head with a wooden stick, resulting in his death.
Following a complaint lodged by Das’s wife, the Bolangir Town Police Station registered a case (No. 264) under sections 103(1)/61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Abani Sahu spearheaded the investigation, supported by a dedicated team led by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Saroj Upadhyay. The investigation leveraged advanced forensic techniques, including using a scientific team and a sniffer dog, which traced crucial evidence to Pattnaik’s residence in Rameshwarnagarpada. On the day of the incident, Pattnaik was detained, and after thorough interrogation and evidence collection, he was formally arrested and presented in court. The police seized the murder weapon—a wooden stick—along with a vehicle and blood-stained clothes belonging to the accused.
The murder was one of four killings reported in Bolangir within three days, fueling public discontent and raising questions about law enforcement in the region. Northern Range Inspector General (IG) Himanshu Lal personally intervened, overseeing the investigations and directing swift action to apprehend the culprits.
The Bolangir SP revealed that the accused in the Sargad, Muribahal, and Chimnibhatipada murder cases have been arrested and sent to court. In contrast, the suspect in the Bishnu Munda murder case has been identified, with efforts underway to apprehend them. IG Lal assured the public that all perpetrators would be brought to justice soon, emphasising the police’s commitment to tackling the recent crime surge.
The swift resolution of the Chimnibhatipada case has been hailed as a testament to the Balangir police’s diligence and coordination. The use of sniffer dogs and scientific evidence underscores the increasing reliance on modern investigative techniques in solving complex cases. However, the recent wave of murders has highlighted deeper issues of crime and public safety in Balangir, prompting calls for stronger preventive measures and community policing initiatives.
As the town grapples with the aftermath of these violent incidents, the arrest of Chinu Pattnaik offers a glimmer of hope that justice will prevail. The police continue their efforts to address the remaining cases, with the public closely watching their response to the ongoing challenges.
