A shocking murder has rocked Gajabandh Panchayat in Odisha’s Sonepur district. Ballabh Kheti, former sarpanch and husband of the current panchayat head, Basanti Kheti, was hacked to death with sharp weapons late Thursday night.
Eyewitnesses report that Ballabh was ambushed near Pandarapali village while returning home, when unknown miscreants launched a sudden, vicious assault. Locals rushed the blood-soaked victim to Dunguripali Community Health Centre, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival.
Rampur Police have detained two individuals for interrogation and are searching for additional suspects believed to be absconding. While the motive remains shrouded in uncertainty, officials confirmed that the investigation is being conducted with urgency.
The grisly incident has triggered widespread panic across Sonepur, sparking concern over the safety of elected representatives and their families in Odisha’s rural belts. As authorities dig deeper into the case, villagers await clarity and justice for the slain leader.
