In Ayodhya town, Ganjam district, a 74-year-old retired government official was brutally murdered by his own son in a dispute over pension money. The victim, Garibabandhu Panda, a retired grocer from the revenue department, was allegedly killed by his son, Sandeep Panda, with the assistance of Shriya, his brother-in-law’s girlfriend.
The gruesome crime took place on the night of the 14th, after a heated argument escalated into violence. According to the police, Sandeep and Shriya, who were both unemployed and reportedly addicted to drugs, attacked Garibabandhu when he resisted their attempts to steal his ATM card. Sandeep smashed his father’s head against a wall, leaving him with severe head injuries. The duo then threw a cupboard on him, breaking his collarbone.
Despite the serious injuries, the attackers did not seek medical help for Garibabandhu until two days later. On the morning of the 16th, they finally called an ambulance, but by the time they reached NY Medical Center, Garibabandhu was pronounced dead.The medical staff at the center alerted the Baidyanathpur police, who launched an investigation into the incident. Upon arriving at the crime scene, investigators discovered a disturbing scene, with bloodstains on the walls and household items scattered throughout the house.
The autopsy report confirmed multiple injuries, including a fractured collarbone, leading authorities to conclude that Garibabandhu had been murdered.The police promptly arrested Sandeep Panda and Shriya, who both confessed to the crime during interrogation. They were charged with murder and have been taken into custody.
Garibabandhu, who had been living alone since his wife’s death, had recently been hosting his son and Shriya, who had returned from Mumbai three months ago. Sandeep, a diploma holder who had previously worked in Mumbai, had been estranged from his wife for the past two years. Shriya, whose real name is Praveen Kumar Sharma, is originally from Shivajinagar in Thane district, Maharashtra.
Garibabandhu’s daughter, who lives in the United States, has been informed of the tragic incident. The community remains in shock over the brutal nature of the crime, as the investigation continues.