A late-night liquor party among friends to celebrate the purchase of an illegal firearm ended in the death of a 25-year-old man during celebratory firing in Bhubaneswar early Thursday. Eight friends of the deceased, Tapu Nayak, were arrested. All the accused were employed at a private construction company. Despite indications that the firing may have been accidental, police booked all accused for murder. While drinking together, one of the accused allegedly fired. The bullet struck Nayak. He was rushed to a hospital. As Nayak’s condition deteriorated, he was shifted to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Preliminary investigation suggested no apparent motive to target Nayak. His wife has sought an impartial probe.
