Police arrested two persons after a 32-year-old man died following an alleged assault by locals in Banapur, Khordha district.
The victim, identified as Tofan Nayak of Bhimpur village, was attacked at Khanat on June 28.
A case was registered late on June 29 based on a complaint filed by his wife, Sasmita Nayak. Banapur police booked the accused under Case No. 254/2026, invoking sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The arrested persons are Pabitra Rout (51) and Sarat Kumar Swain (60), both residents of Khanat village. They are being interrogated as part of the investigation.
Banapur IIC Jayaprakash Parida said police reached the spot after receiving a call on helpline 112 and found Tofan critically injured. Police claimed they tried to shift him to the hospital, but he refused.
Preliminary investigation suggests Tofan was assaulted on suspicion of theft. CCTV footage is being examined, and forensic experts are analysing evidence. The body has been sent to Capital Hospital for post-mortem.
Family members rejected the theft allegation, insisting Tofan had no criminal record. They alleged caste-related animosity led to the assault and demanded strict action.
Responding to circulating claims, Banapur IIC denied police involvement in the assault, stating no officer had beaten the deceased. The investigation continues, with police awaiting post-mortem findings and CCTV analysis to establish the full sequence of events.
