Odisha Police faced embarrassment after mistakenly presenting an innocent man as an accused in the Ajit Sahu murder case under Odagaon Police Station in Nayagarh district.
The incident occurred after police claimed to have arrested four suspects within 24 hours of the brutal killing at Kadalibandh on May 10.
During a press briefing on May 12, Inspector General Satyajit Nayak announced the arrests and revealed the names of the accused. Among them was Sridhar Sahu of Makarapada. As officers unveiled the suspects, Sridhar suddenly removed his face cover and shouted that he was innocent and falsely implicated. The protest stunned officials and reporters present at the press meet.
Police later realised the error and released Sridhar around midnight. They subsequently arrested Naresh Bisoi of Khandapada in connection with the case and produced him in court. Nayagarh SP clarified that Sridhar had been detained for questioning, not formally arrested, but the explanation failed to calm public outrage.
