Snehaswakshar Samal, the accused in the triple murder case that occurred at Khandagiri Vihar in the city on Wednesday morning, had met deceased orthopaedic surgeon Dr Atulya C Meher twice earlier this month, said a family member of the accused.
The assailant’s brother Satyasundar Samal said Snehaswakshar had taken an appointment from Dr Meher on October 3 for a health check-up of his daughter. After the check-up, the detail report came on October 9 and Snehaswakshar met the doctor the very next day (October 10), he added.
Satyasundar said his brother never met the doctor before October 3. “We also don’t know what happened on October 10 and what prompted him to attack the doctor,” he said.
Sources said the police found a prescription from the pocket of the accused that prescribed to buy medicines meant for patients with abnormal behaviour. The police also recovered a paper chart having details about the doctor and his family. “It seems the accused had kept detailed information about the doctor and given a final touch to his plan on Wednesday morning,” police sources said.
Twin City Commissioner of Police Dr RP Sharma on Thursday said reporters here that the accused used to keep knife always with him. He was giving online order to get the knives, he added.
Dr Sharma said the motive of the accused is yet to be ascertained. “As the accused is undergoing treatment, we cannot record his statement now. But we will quiz him very soon to know the motive behind the murder,” he added.
The Commissioner of the Police said condition of Runu Behera, who was grievously injured in the attack,
was stable.