Mahima Alekh Monk Found Murdered In Odisha; Property Dispute Angle Suspected
Family alleges the devotee had received repeated death threats over a long-standing land dispute in Keonjhar district.
A monk associated with the Mahima Alekh sect was allegedly murdered in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Friday, with his family alleging that a long-standing property dispute and repeated death threats led to the killing.
The deceased, identified as Srikanta Mahakud, was a devotee of the Alekh Mahima Math at Binida and regularly performed religious rituals at the monastery.
The incident occurred in Amuni village under the Sadar police station limits in Banspal block of Keonjhar district.
According to preliminary reports, Mahakud left home early in the morning to take a bath in a village pond. He was last seen heading towards the pond between 5.30 am and 6 am. A few hours later, villagers found him lying dead near the waterbody with severe head injuries.
Police suspect he was attacked with a stone or another blunt object. The body was recovered and sent for post-mortem examination.
Family members alleged that the murder was premeditated and linked to an ongoing property dispute. They also accused a local resident of repeatedly threatening Mahakud in the past.
"My father had gone to the pond for a bath early in the morning. We believe he was murdered by a person who had been threatening him for a long time. There was a property dispute between them, and he had openly warned my father that he would kill him near the pond. We want justice and a thorough investigation," alleged Mahakud's son, Khageswar Mahakud.
The incident has shocked residents of the village, where Mahakud was widely respected for his association with the Mahima Math and his religious activities.
Police have launched an investigation and are questioning local residents. Officials said the exact motive behind the killing is yet to be established and all angles are being examined, including the allegations made by the family.