3 juveniles detained for killing coaching mate in Keonjhar | Bhubaneswar News
Keonjhar: Three students, all juveniles, were detained on Tuesday for allegedly murdering their coaching mate, all aged around 15 years, at a private residential college’s hostel in Keonjhar, police said. Police are trying to ascertain the motive.
The victim, Jaladhar Mahanta from Tangarpada, was found dead in his second-floor hostel room at 2 am. All students, including the victim, were staying at the hostel while attending summer coaching classes after their matric examination.
Police said the suspects allegedly suffocated Mahanta with a blanket and strangled him with a cloth following a dispute. “The accused have confessed to the crime,” said IIC of Town police station, Shrikant Sahu.
According to school authorities, the victim was found unconscious on a bed in the corridor near a water purifier. Another student, who had gone to fetch water, spotted him and immediately alerted the hostel warden. The victim was rushed to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital but was pronounced brought dead. Police said the version of school authorities is being verified.
Police investigation revealed that the incident may have stemmed from a previous disciplinary action. Mahanta, who was a monitor during summer classes, had reportedly punished several students by making them stand in class. “The accused students harboured a grudge against the victim due to the punishment,” said a police officer.
The three juveniles were produced before court and later sent to the Rourkela observation home after their bail pleas were rejected.
The victim’s father, Jagabandhu Mahanta, filed a complaint alleging his son was murdered after he was ragged in the hostel. “My son was healthy. He had no illness. The college and hostel authorities are responsible for his death,” he said.
The college management has offered a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the bereaved family. “We are investigating why such an incident occurred. Currently, 100 students are staying for summer coaching,” said Ranjit Kumar Goud, a member of the college management committee.
Police have registered a murder case and further investigation is underway.
The victim, Jaladhar Mahanta from Tangarpada, was found dead in his second-floor hostel room at 2 am. All students, including the victim, were staying at the hostel while attending summer coaching classes after their matric examination.
Police said the suspects allegedly suffocated Mahanta with a blanket and strangled him with a cloth following a dispute. “The accused have confessed to the crime,” said IIC of Town police station, Shrikant Sahu.
According to school authorities, the victim was found unconscious on a bed in the corridor near a water purifier. Another student, who had gone to fetch water, spotted him and immediately alerted the hostel warden. The victim was rushed to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital but was pronounced brought dead. Police said the version of school authorities is being verified.
Police investigation revealed that the incident may have stemmed from a previous disciplinary action. Mahanta, who was a monitor during summer classes, had reportedly punished several students by making them stand in class. “The accused students harboured a grudge against the victim due to the punishment,” said a police officer.
The three juveniles were produced before court and later sent to the Rourkela observation home after their bail pleas were rejected.
The victim’s father, Jagabandhu Mahanta, filed a complaint alleging his son was murdered after he was ragged in the hostel. “My son was healthy. He had no illness. The college and hostel authorities are responsible for his death,” he said.
The college management has offered a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the bereaved family. “We are investigating why such an incident occurred. Currently, 100 students are staying for summer coaching,” said Ranjit Kumar Goud, a member of the college management committee.
Police have registered a murder case and further investigation is underway.
