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Tragic Incident in Puri's Temple Town

Puri: A deeply unsettling event has unfolded in Puri, where an 80-year-old servitor of the Jagannath Temple, Jagannath Dixit, was reportedly murdered under unclear circumstances.

This tragic occurrence took place on Wednesday afternoon in the Gudia Sahi area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Puri Town Police.

The deceased, a well-respected member of the Mahasuar Sahi community, had gone to the Jagannath Temple earlier that day to fulfill his daily religious obligations.

Bhimsen Dixit, the victim's nephew, shared, “My uncle visited the temple to perform his daily duties. After he returned home, this tragic event transpired. We are still in the dark about who is responsible and the motive behind this.”

Police reports indicate that his body was found near Rabeni Square in Gudia Sahi.

CCTV footage captured an individual leaving the body close to the residence of Naran Patjoshi, a local resident. It is alleged that Jagannath Dixit had approached Patjoshi to request the repayment of a debt, which may have led to a confrontation and ultimately his murder.

Authorities have since recovered the body and initiated an investigation.

Evidence of blood found on the victim's body further supports the theory of foul play.

Puri Superintendent of Police, Vinit Agrawal, stated, “Initial findings suggest that personal animosity may have been a factor in the murder. We have filed a case and are intensifying our investigation. We are working diligently to apprehend the suspect, and more information will be available as the inquiry progresses.”

The police apprehended Patjoshi at his in-laws' residence in Sasan Damodarpur under the Sadar Police jurisdiction on Wednesday evening.

He is currently being interrogated to uncover the true motive behind the murder.

This shocking incident has left the servitor community in Puri in disbelief, and there is increasing pressure on law enforcement to ensure justice is served promptly.

Moreover, this event, which coincided with significant police presence during the Snana Yatra at the Jagannath Temple, raises concerns about the police's claims regarding the safety and security situation in the city.