Three Arrested in Ankuli Murder Case; Sword Used in Crime Seized
Initially, Brahmapur Traffic Police registered Traffic P.S. Case No. 575 dated October 31, 2026, under Sections 281/106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a Medico-Legal Case (MLC) received from MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Brahmapur. The deceased was declared brought dead at 8.03 PM on October 30, following what was initially suspected to be a road accident.
However, during the investigation, findings from the inquest, post-mortem examination and witness statements revealed that the death was homicidal in nature. Investigators found that Pradeep Kumar Sethi had allegedly been brutally assaulted with a sword and other weapons near a tea stall at Ankuli Bypass at around 4 PM on October 30, reportedly over previous rivalry.
The post-mortem examination subsequently confirmed the homicidal nature of the death.
Following these findings, on the written report of Inspector Padma Charan Bhatta, IIC, Traffic Police Station, B.N. Pur Police Station registered Case No. 566 dated November 1, 2026, under Sections 61(2)/103(1)/111/3(5) of the BNS, read with Sections 25/27 of the Arms Act.
The three arrested persons have been identified as:
Laba Sethi (28), son of Kaibalya Sethi.
Babula Behera (28), son of Bhaskara Behera.
Deepak Sethi (23), son of Sarathi Sethi.
During the investigation, police recovered and seized an iron sword allegedly used in the offence. Scientific evidence and witness statements have also been collected.
All three accused were forwarded to the Hon’ble Court on November 2, 2026. Police said efforts were continuing to apprehend the remaining accused persons, including the alleged mastermind behind the murder.
