Death of 2 BJP leaders in Odisha: Heavy vehicle driver 'intentionally' hit their vehicle, says police

Bhubaneswar: Sambalpur police on Monday detained the driver of a heavy vehicle in connection with the deaths of two BJP leaders in what appeared to be a deliberate accident.

Sambalpur SP Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo told reporters that the driver of the heavy vehicle had deliberately rammed into the car, resulting in the deaths of the two BJP leaders.

The SP said the driver has been detained by the police and is currently being interrogated. He also mentioned that the police are investigating whether any other individuals were involved in the incident.

Based on video footage, it was evident that the driver of the heavy vehicle intentionally hit the car from behind. The car was carrying the BJP leaders and their supporters at the time of the collision.

The truck driver, identified as Prasanna Jenamani (30), is a resident of the Athmallik area in Angul district.

Police sources stated that the accident occurred around 1:30 am on Sunday on NH 53 under Burla police limits when BJP’s Goshala Mandal President Debendra Nayak and former BJP sarpanch Muralidhar Chhuria were returning to Chipilima from Bhubaneswar.

Two others travelling with the BJP leaders also sustained critical injuries in the incident.

One of the car occupants who survived but was injured informed the police that the heavy vehicle hit the car three times from behind.

A detailed investigation is ongoing.