In a shocking incident at the revered Maa Thanapati Thakurani Peeth in Righagad village, under Rajnagar police station in Kendrapara district, Odisha, a 55-year-old man was fatally assaulted during a heated altercation on November 23, 2025.
The victim, identified as Budhia Sahu from Righagad, succumbed to injuries after being pushed and beaten amid a brawl that erupted following a temple ritual.
According to reports, a group of youths from Jagannathpur village in Kandira panchayat had visited the temple to prepare and offer “randha bhog” (cooked offerings) to the deity. After completing the puja and meal, they were loading cooking utensils into a Tata Ace vehicle to return home. Around 3 PM, two local youths allegedly stopped the vehicle and demanded liquor, leading to an argument with the driver. The confrontation escalated when the two youths assaulted the driver.
In response, more youths from Jagannathpur arrived at the scene and retaliated by beating the assailants. This prompted villagers from Righagad to gather and surround the Jagannathpur group, resulting in a full-blown clash involving sticks and physical violence at the temple premises.
During the chaos, Budhia Sahu, a member of the Thanapati committee, was reportedly pushed to the ground while attempting to intervene and pacify the agitated youths. He fell unconscious and was rushed to the Rajnagar Community Health Centre by family members, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Local villagers from Righagad provided an alternate account, claiming the Jagannathpur group had parked their vehicle on the village road, blocking traffic, and were drinking alcohol while causing a disturbance. When villagers objected, the situation turned violent, leading to the attack on Sahu.
Rajnagar police have detained three individuals in connection with the incident and are conducting a thorough investigation. Video footage from the scene shows the Tata Ace vehicle parked on the roadside, which is being reviewed as part of the probe. The event has left the community in shock, raising concerns about safety at religious sites.
