BHUBANESWAR: A shocking incident has unfolded in the religious town of Puri, where an 83-year-old pujari of the Shree Jagannath Temple was brutally murdered in broad daylight on June 11, coinciding with Debasnana Purnima, one of the most significant festivals of the holy Trinity.
The deceased, Jagannath Dikshit, a senior kothabhoga supakar (temple cook), was allegedly killed by Narayan Pattajoshi, a 57-year-old local food stall owner. The murder occurred in the Gudia Sahi locality, under the jurisdiction of Puri Town Police Station, at around 2 PM, despite the entire town being under heavy security for the festival.
Police sources indicate that the motive behind the murder was a financial dispute. Pattajoshi had borrowed Rs 15,000 from Dikshit a few months prior to expand his small food business; however, he reportedly squandered the money on alcohol and failed to repay the debt. Investigators believe that a recent argument regarding the unpaid loan may have triggered the violence.
Reports reveal that Pattajoshi lured the elderly pujari to his home under the pretext of discussing the repayment. Once there, he allegedly suffocated Dikshit with a pillow and struck him with a heavy object, killing him instantly. He subsequently attempted to conceal the crime by cleaning the scene and dumping the body on a nearby street to mislead investigators. CCTV footage from the area captured him disposing of the body, which became crucial evidence in the case. He was arrested a few hours later at his in-laws’ residence on the outskirts of Puri.
Puri Superintendent of Police Vinit Agrawal confirmed the arrest, stating, “Preliminary investigation points to a personal financial dispute. The accused has been apprehended. Forensic samples have been collected from the scene, and a chargesheet will be filed upon completion of the investigation.”
The murder has raised serious concerns among citizens and devotees, especially as it occurred during Snana Purnima—a festival for which over 70 platoons of police, three commandants, and 450 senior officers were deployed throughout Puri. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the town earlier that day to review festival arrangements.
Further investigation into the case is ongoing.
