Bhubaneswar: A fish vendor, who lay unconscious after a hit‑and‑run on national highway (NH)‑16 in Bhubaneswar, was killed after being dragged nearly three kilometres by another vehicle in the early hours of Sunday, amid blinding rain. His cousin, who was riding pillion with him, was critically injured.City police have announced a cash reward of Rs 25,000 for anyone providing credible information leading to the identification of the two vehicles. Police said fish vendor Hadibandhu Mallick (45) of Baghamari in Khurda district was first knocked unconscious by an unidentified vehicle around 3.30 am. Moments later, another vehicle dragged him along the slick highway, killing him on the spot.
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His cousin, Kabi Mallick (44), who was riding pillion on his moped, was thrown off the road and is battling for life at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar.The duo had set out from their village around 3 am on the two-wheeler to procure fish from Unit‑IV market for selling in Baghamari. “They travel to Bhubaneswar almost every day for business,” said Parsu Mallick, another cousin of the deceased.According to the police, the duo had briefly halted near Tamando flyover due to poor visibility in the heavy downpour when the first vehicle hit them from behind. “While Kabi fell unconscious by the roadside, Hadibandhu lay on the highway. Another vehicle then dragged him to his death,” said a senior police officer, adding that investigators were scanning CCTV footage to identify the vehicles involved.DCP Jagmohan Meena said the injured man was first rushed to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. “His family later shifted him to a private hospital. He suffered multiple fractures. We will take stringent action against the drivers of the two vehicles,” DCP Meena said.The incident triggered panic after misinformation spread that a headless body was found near Baramunda bus stand. Police later clarified that the body was intact and was of Hadibandhu.Family members demanded swift justice. “We want the culprits traced and punished. Such reckless driving has destroyed our family. He was the sole breadwinner,” said Basanti Mallick, Hadibandhu’s sister.
