Mahanga, April 12: In a heart wrenching incident, a 42-year-old man allegedly hacked his elder brother and four other members of the latter’s family to death over property dispute in Kusupur village under Mahanga police limits in Cuttack late Monday night, an official said Tuesday.
The accused, Shiva Sahu, confessed to the crime through a video message and surrendered before the Balichandrapur police in Jajpur district.
In his recorded confession, Shiva could be seen saying, “My elder brother and his family members had been torturing me for a long time. They assaulted me and beat me up following our dispute over property last night (Monday). I was aggrieved and lost my cool. I wiped out my brother’s family. I will accept any punishment as per law.”
The deceased were identified as Alekh Sahu, 46, his wife Rashmi Rekha, 42, their daughter Smruti Sandhya, 19, and two sons— Smruti Sourav, 15, and Smruti Sahil, 17.
The gruesome incident came to the fore when locals found Alekh’s house and his stationery shop nearby closed till 10am. Suspecting foul play, they informed the police.
Although Shiva claims that he alone managed to eliminate the family, locals suspect involvement of some more people.
Police said Shiva had visited his brother’s place Monday night to discuss the land dispute. However, the discussion turned violent and the accused killed his brother and his family reportedly with a sharp-edged weapon. He then bolted the room from outside before leaving for Balichandrapur police station in Jajpur district.
Locals said Shiva and his brother often quarrelled over landed property and pension money of their father. There were efforts by villagers to settle issue between the two families, but to no avail.
Cuttack (Rural) SP Jugal Kishor Kumar Banoth said that the motive behind the ghastly murders was land dispute. The matter is under investigation. The accused is being questioned for further details, the SP said.