In a disturbing incident that has shocked Puri, an 83-year-old servitor of the Shree Jagannath Temple was allegedly murdered in broad daylight on Wednesday, just hours after completing his religious duties. The crime occurred even as the holy town was under tight security for the Snana Purnima rituals.
The deceased, Jagannath Dikshit, a senior kothabhoga supakar (temple cook), was reportedly attacked in the Gudia Sahi area around 2 pm by Narayan Pattajoshi (49), following a heated argument. According to police sources, the accused allegedly smashed Dikshit’s head against a wall, leading to fatal injuries. Shockingly, Dikshit, despite being severely wounded, tried to clean the blood stains before succumbing to his injuries.
Initial investigation suggests the crime stemmed from an old monetary dispute. Pattajoshi had allegedly borrowed money from Dikshit and refused to repay it. A confrontation earlier in the day reportedly escalated into violence.
The entire incident is believed to have been captured on CCTV, aiding the investigation. Pattajoshi was arrested within hours of the incident, police confirmed.
What makes the murder even more alarming is that it happened during Snana Purnima, when the town was under an extensive security grid—70 platoons of police, three commandants, and 450 senior officers had been deployed to ensure safety during Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s visit and the sacred bathing rituals.
Despite the heightened security presence, this brutal act has raised serious questions about ground-level enforcement and public safety in one of India’s most revered pilgrimage towns. A senior police officer confirmed the arrest and said further investigation is underway.
