Jeypore Tea Stall Owner Murder: 21-Year-Old Suspect Nabbed, Motive Uncovered

JEYPORE MURDER CASEA 21-year-old youth, Sudam Nayak, was arrested on Thursday for the murder of a tea-seller in Jeypore town. The deceased, 50-year-old Tambi Ayer, had been involved in a financial dispute with Nayak, who allegedly slit his throat in a fit of rage. The police investigation revealed that Tambi had previously provided gifts and financial assistance to Nayak, but the accused had recently avoided him and refused to return the items.

Jeypore Tea Stall Owner Murder: 21-Year-Old Accused Arrested, Motive Revealed

JEYPORE, India - In a swift and decisive move, Jeypore police have apprehended a 21-year-old youth, Sudam Nayak, for his alleged involvement in the murder of a local tea stall owner, 50-year-old Tambi Ayer.

The gruesome discovery of Ayer's lifeless body at his residence in Jeypore town on Wednesday sent shockwaves through the community. The investigation, initiated immediately by the police, swiftly led to the arrest of Nayak, a resident of Ranaspur village within the jurisdiction of B Singhpur police limits in Borigumma block.

Initial investigations unveiled a disturbing sequence of events that sparked this tragic incident. According to police, Ayer had developed an affinity for Nayak, who frequently patronized his tea stall during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. At the time, Nayak was employed as a watchman at the COVID hospital in Jeypore.

Driven by his fondness for the young man, Ayer bestowed gifts upon Nayak, including a substantial sum of Rs. 20,000 in cash and a motorcycle. The generosity extended further when Ayer supported Nayak's bail application in a theft case registered at the Koraput Town police station in 2023.

However, after securing his release from jail, Nayak's demeanor towards Ayer underwent a stark transformation. He began avoiding interactions with the tea seller and frequently engaged in quarrels over trivial matters. Amidst these tensions, Ayer confronted Nayak, demanding the return of the Rs. 20,000 and the motorcycle he had gifted him.

On April 13, Ayer summoned Nayak to his residence in Nuasahi to resolve the lingering dispute. The meeting took place around midnight the next day, leading to a heated exchange of words between the two. In a moment of unrestrained fury, Nayak drew a knife and slit Ayer's throat, leaving the tea seller lifeless in his own home.

Fleeing the scene, Nayak ensured the house remained locked while he made away with Rs. 2,000 in cash and a polythene bag stuffed with coins of various denominations. To conceal evidence of his heinous act, he stashed the murder weapon, the keys to Ayer's house, and the bag of coins near a bush on Canal Road behind a hotel.

The meticulous investigation by the Jeypore police culminated in the recovery of the knife, the house keys, the bag of coins, and two motorcycles from Nayak's possession. The police swiftly arrested him, and he was subsequently presented before a court. The court remanded Nayak to judicial custody on the same day.

Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Jeypore, Ankit Kumar Verma, stated that the investigation into this tragic incident is ongoing. The arrest of Sudam Nayak and the recovery of crucial evidence are significant steps towards bringing justice to the victim and his bereaved family.