Khallikote: Police Friday arrested a woman, the prime accused in the brutal murder of a man who opposed the illegal sale of liquor in Kusadhipa village under Khallikote police limits in Ganjam district April 28.
The accused was identified as Mama Pattnaik of Kusadhipa village. She has also been accused of dealing with illegal liquor sale in the area.
According to reports, Kailash Barik, 45, of the same locality was hacked to death on the night of April 28 when he saw a beeline in front of an illegal liquor unit and opposed the trade.
During the probe, the police learnt the involvement of Mama and detained her who confessed to the crime. Mama and her associates beat up Kailash mercilessly and then crushed his face with stones, killing him on the spot.
The deceased’s wife had lodged a complaint with the local police and the family members had also staged a protest in front of Khallikote community health centre, where Barik was declared dead by the doctors April 29.
Khallikote police had registered a case (106/19) under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC. Based on the complaint, the police arrested the accused woman and produced her in a court. However, other suspects and associates of accused Mama— Kanhu Behera, Pradip Parida, and others are yet to be arrested.