‘Killer’ held after 24 years from Odisha

SURAT: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of city police nabbed a man from Odisha wanted in a 24 year old murder case. The accused Lakhan Bahera (48) and his three accomplices are accused of killing a man in Panas area to avoid repayment of Rs 5,000.
Bahera was arrested from Badabadgi village. Police said that he kept changing location and spent most of his time away from home.
Bahera, his brother and two other people had allegedly stabbed and stoned Babu Sahoo multiple times resulting in his death on September 29, 1998. Bahera’s brother Sujan offered to perform tantric rituals to treat a girl. The family paid the money Sujan had demanded. But the girl’s health did not improve and the family members kidnapped Sujan to get back their money.
For Sujan's release, Bahera borrowed money from Sahoo. After a few days, Sahoo started demanding the money back, so Bahera killed Sahoo with help of his friends.
“After the murder, Bahera went to Thrissur in Kerala and worked there as a labourer for 3-4 years,” said cops.
Sahoo also belong to the same village as Bahera. His kin kept watch on Bahera’s home and alerted city police about his movement.