Four Antisocials Arrested for Threatening Murder Case Witness; Two Vehicles Seized
Manoj Kanta Dash, Editor, Odisha Barta
Brahmapur, July 22: In a major breakthrough, Brahmapur Sadar Police arrested four notorious antisocials for allegedly threatening, intimidating and assaulting a key prosecution witness in a murder case in an attempt to influence his testimony. Two vehicles allegedly used in the commission of the offences have also been seized.
The accused have been identified as Nilamadhab Sahu @ Bhabani (24) of Dakhinapur, Sai Kiran Gouda @ Sai (23) of Lathi, Rakesh Mandal (25) of Ankuli, and Sunil Kumar Das (24) of Anantei under Digapahandi police limits.
All four were arrested on July 20, 2026, in connection with Brahmapur Sadar Police Station Case No. 461/2026 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).
Witness Allegedly Threatened;
According to police, the complainant, Narasingha Sahu (21) of Raula Sukunda village under Brahmapur Sadar Police Station, is the principal eyewitness in a murder case relating to the killing of Bidyadhar Panigrahi, which occurred about a year ago under Badabazar Police Station. The accused in that murder case are presently lodged in judicial custody after being charge-sheeted.
Investigators revealed that despite being in custody, the murder accused allegedly continued to intimidate the eyewitness through their associates, including arrested accused Sai Kiran Gouda, warning him not to depose before the court and threatening him with serious consequences if he testified against them.
Assault and Night-Time Threats;
Police said that on July 15, the complainant was present near the UP School at Raula Sukunda along with his friends when the accused allegedly arrived in a car armed with deadly weapons.
They reportedly threatened him to give false evidence in the murder trial and assaulted him with a sharp-edged weapon, causing injuries. Out of fear, the victim did not immediately report the incident to police.In another incident during the intervening night of July 16 and 17, at around 1.00 a.m., the accused allegedly reached the complainant’s residence in two vehicles and threatened his parents, warning that their son would be killed if he appeared before the court to give evidence.
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)
Criminal Background.
Police stated that the arrested accused, particularly Sai Kiran Gouda, have several previous criminal cases registered against them involving serious offences under the IPC/BNS, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act
.
The accused have been produced before the competent court and remanded to judicial custody. Police said further investigation into the case is continuing to ascertain whether more persons were involved in the conspiracy to intimidate the prosecution witness.
