Witness Terror: Four Antisocial Arrested for Threatening Eyewitness in Murder Case; Two Cars Seized in Brahmapur
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
Editor –in-Chief
Brahmapur, July 20: In a major breakthrough, Berhampur Sadar Police arrested four notorious antisocials for allegedly threatening, assaulting and intimidating a key prosecution witness in a murder case in an attempt to prevent him from testifying before the court. Police also seized two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the offences.
The accused were arrested on Monday in connection with B. Sadar Police Station Case No. 461 dated July 20, 2026, registered under Sections 351(3), 109, 115(2), 111(2), 111(3), 111(4), 61(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Arrested Accused
The arrested persons have been identified as:
Nilamadhab Sahu @ Bhabani (24), of Bada Sahi, Dakhinapur under B. Sadar Police Station.
Sai Kiran Gouda @ Sai (23), of Gouda Sahi, Lathi under B. Sadar Police Station.
Rakesh Mandal (25), Hadi Sahi, Ankuli under Baidyanathpur Police Station.
Sunil Kumar Das (24), son of Late Garib Das, of Chhaka Sahi, Anantei under Digapahandi Police Station.
Eyewitness Targeted to Derail Murder Trial
According to police, the complainant Narasingha Sahu (21) of Raula Sukunda village under B. Sadar Police Station is the prime eyewitness in a murder case registered about a year ago under Badabazar Police Station, in which Bidyadhar Panigrahi was killed. The accused in that murder case are presently lodged in judicial custody after being charge-sheeted.
Investigators revealed that despite being behind bars, the murder accused allegedly continued to orchestrate threats through their associates, including Sai Kiran Gouda, to coerce the eyewitness into retracting his testimony or giving false evidence before the court.
Armed Assault and Midnight Death Threats
Police said that on July 15, Narasingha was standing with his friends near UP School at Raula Sukunda when the accused allegedly arrived in a car armed with deadly weapons.
They reportedly threatened him to change his statement in the murder case and assaulted him with a kati (sharp-edged weapon), causing injuries. Fear of retaliation prevented the victim from reporting the incident immediately.
In another incident during the intervening night of July 16–17 at around 1.00 a.m., the accused allegedly reached the complainant’s residence in two vehicles and threatened his parents with dire consequences, warning that their son would be killed if he deposed against the murder accused in court.
Vehicles Seized
During the investigation, police seized two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the offences:
Maruti Brezza (Registration No. OD 07 BF 8777)
Mahindra Bolero Neo (Registration No. OD 32 Z 1438)
History of Serious Criminal Cases
Police said that the arrested accused, particularly Sai Kiran Gouda, have multiple criminal antecedents involving serious offences under the BNS/IPC, Arms Act, and Explosive Substances Act, indicating their involvement in organized criminal activities.
All four accused were produced before the Hon’ble Court on Monday and have been remanded as per law. Police stated that further investigation is underway to identify additional persons involved in the conspiracy and to establish the role of those allegedly directing the threats from judicial custody.
