Budhia coach murder; Police yet to get any clue

Bhubaneswar, Apr 15 (UNI) Even 48 hours after the gruesome killing of Biranchi Das, coach and mentor of marathon kid Budhia Singh, police have failed to nab the assailants although they have zeroed in on gangster Raja Acharaya's involvement in the crime.

Police Commissioner Binaya Kumar Behera said a special investigation team, headed by Additional Police Commissioner Y B Khurania, had been constituted to nab the culprits involved in the murder of Das.

Das was shot dead by three motor cycle-borne miscreants on the evening of April 13 last before the Judo Association hall here.

Mr Behera today met Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and apprised him of the investigation in the most sensational murder case.

Police, he said, had raided several hideouts of gangster Raja Acharaya during the past two days but in vain.

To a question, the Police Commissioner admitted the possibility of the nexus between some police officials with the gangster and said such aspect would also be probed and stringe action taken.

Mr Patnaik had described the killing of the coach as very ''sad and unfortunate.'' He said police were on their job to nab the suspects soon.

Mr Behera said police were confining the operation to some suspects, adding he was personally monitoring the operation in every hour.

Meanwhile, state Director General of Police Gopal Nanda today chaired a high level meeting of senior police officials at the police headquarters in Cuttack which reviewed the law and order situation in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar and the murder of Das.

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