The Puri police on Monday said Nibedita Behera, wife of advocate and hotelier Chandan Behera, had conspired to eliminate her husband over property dispute.
The police arrested Nibedita and four others in connection with the case. So far, eight persons have been arrested for their suspected involvement in the matter.
Puri Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sarangi informed the media that Nibedita along with prime accused Narandranath alias litu Das had hatched the plan on January 5 to eliminate Chandan.
“During investigation and after interrogating the hotel staffs, we came to know that Nibedita is involved in the murder. She was frequently coming to Puri from Rourkela without the knowledge of her husband. We also got the proof of her staying here. She had stayed here from December 20 to January 5, and during the stay she had hatched the conspiracy with litu, whose associates executed Chandan,” Sarangi stated.
He said a few days back, Nibedita had prepared a legal document and given litu the power of attorney of her property.
“During the search, we have also recovered an agreement showing litu as guardian of her property. Besides, the power of attorney was also been given to litu…. Now this is clear that she knew about the plan,” said the SP.
Describing the modus operandi of the crime, the SP said four of litu’s associates were involved in the crime.
“We came to know that after the blueprint of the murder plan was made, Kapila dropped Nibedita in Rourkela on January 5. Then, the plan was executed on January 8 by all five,” Sarangi said.
Asked about the involvement of other persons in the case, he said the case is open and police are investigating the matter.
“We are further verifying to know whether more persons were involved. We are probing how the property for which the dispute arose was acquired and who all were in knowledge of the property when it was registered,” Sarangi said, adding that if required. The police would bring all eight accused on remand.
litu, the link between conspirator and assailant, is on the run and a team has been formed to nab him.