Buguda police arrested 36-year-old Basant Nayak from Balugaon on Thursday in connection with the brutal murder of his friend, 30-year-old Santosh Raut, on the morning of Vijayadashami (October 20).
According to reports, Santosh and Basant were friends whose relationship had soured due to financial transactions and personal friction. On the day of the incident, Basant lured Santosh on a motorcycle ride to a secluded spot on the Motabadi road.
Once there, Basant attacked Santosh with a sharp knife, slit his throat, dragged the body into nearby bushes, and fled with the victim’s bike and mobile phone.
A breakthrough occurred when investigators found Basant’s mobile phone dropped at the crime scene. Acting on a complaint filed by the victim’s family, police registered Case No. 522/26. Following protests and a candlelight vigil by locals demanding swift action, a special police team tracked down and arrested the accused.
During a press meet at the police station, senior officials—including ASP Ranjan Kumar Dey, SDPO Deepak Kumar Mishra, and IIC Sitanshu Sekhar Mandhata—confirmed the recovery of the murder weapon, mobile phone, and motorcycle. The accused has been forwarded to court.
