In yet another instance of the increasing lawlessness in the capital city, hooligans allegedly torched an SUV after attacking its owner in Delta Square under the Khandagiri police station on Monday evening.
Police have arrested four persons in this connection, whom they had detained earlier for questioning. The arrested persons were identified as- Susil Rout, Biswajit Rout, Raju Pradhan and Sudhir Barik, sources informed.
But the motive behind the incident, whether it was old enmity or a sudden flare-up, was yet to be ascertained.
As per reports, a youth had parked his SUV car at Delta Square when 10 to15 miscreants came and started abusing him.
Later, the hooligans chased and attacked him at the bustling square. But he managed to save his life and limbs by escaping from the spot.
The miscreants then sprinkled petrol and set the SUV ablaze. They terrorised the onlookers there before fleeing the spot.
On getting the information, Fire Service personnel reached the spot and doused the flames but by then the SUV was completely gutted.
The police said the investigation into the matter was ongoing and the absconding culprits would be nabbed soon.
Meanwhile, city DCP Prateek Singh said police have arrested four persons in connection with the incident after conducting midnight raids. A hunt is on to nab the others involved.
Singh said the accused had an old enmity with the vehicle owner for which he was targeted. The illegal constructions (Shops) constructed by the accused at the square were demolished with the help of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation.
The DCP refuted the allegation that police reached the spot late after getting information and said the cops rushed to the spot within fifteen minutes.