A 21-year-old man was shot dead in Bhubaneswar after armed assailants intercepted the two-wheeler he was travelling on near Mausima Square in the city’s old town area around midnight on Wednesday, police said. Investigators suspect that a business rivalry may have led to the attack.
The deceased was identified as Tapan Nayak. He was travelling with two other people when the assailants stopped them and opened fire, according to the police account. Nayak sustained a bullet injury in the attack and was taken to Capital Hospital for treatment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Saravana Vivek M. said Nayak was later referred from Capital Hospital to a private hospital. He died during treatment at the private facility, the officer said.
“ Tapan sustained a bullet injury and was taken to Capital Hospital, from where he was referred to a private facility. He died during treatment at the private hospital,” the DCP said.
The shooting took place at Mausima Square, a location in Bhubaneswar’s old town area. The police statement did not provide details about the number of assailants, the type of firearm used or the exact circumstances in which the attackers escaped after the shooting.
Police suspect that business rivalry could be the reason behind the killing. The motive has not been established as a confirmed finding, and the investigation is continuing. The police have detained a few people for questioning, the DCP said.
The case brings a fatal act of armed violence into a busy urban setting, where the initial police response must address both the immediate treatment of the injured and the identification of those involved. In this case, the authorities are examining possible links to a business dispute while questioning the detained persons.
The available police account does not state whether the two other people travelling with Nayak were injured in the firing. It also does not specify whether police recovered the weapon or identified any suspect by name.
Further details are expected as investigators continue questioning the detained persons and establish the sequence of events leading to the shooting at Mausima Square.
