Rayagada youth abducted at gunpoint, murdered near Nagavali River
Synopsis
A youth was abducted at gunpoint and murdered in Rayagada, Odisha, with his body found near the Nagavali River hours after his mother filed a kidnapping complaint. Police have identified the accused and deployed four teams to make arrests, even as a local MLA blamed the state government for a breakdown in law and order.
Key Takeaways
Nikhil Hadipa , a resident of Raili Sahi, Rayagada , was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and murdered on the night of 10 May 2025 .
His body was found near the Nagavali River close to Tumbiguda on Sunday morning, bearing gunshot injuries .
A case ( 184/26 ) was registered under Section 143 of the BNS at Rayagada Police Station after his mother filed a complaint at 12.50 am .
Kumar confirmed the accused have been identified; four police teams are pursuing them.
Rayagada MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy (Congress) termed the incident 'highly condemnable' and urged the Chief Minister to ensure immediate arrests.
A youth was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and murdered in Rayagada district, Odisha, over suspected past enmity on the night of Saturday, 10 May 2025, triggering tension among residents in the area. The victim's body was discovered near the Nagavali River close to Tumbiguda on Sunday morning.
How the Incident Unfolded
The deceased has been identified as Nikhil Hadipa, a resident of the Raili Sahi area in Rayagada town. According to preliminary reports, a group of unidentified individuals — travelling on a two-wheeler and in a car — allegedly chased Hadipa at around 10.30 pm on Saturday night. A heated argument reportedly broke out, during which firing allegedly took place as Hadipa attempted to flee.
Hadipa reportedly entered a nearby house in a bid to save himself, but the accused allegedly forced him out and abducted him. The group then reportedly opened blank fire in the Indira Nagar Lane-3 area of Rayagada town before fleeing toward the Ring Road area with the victim. His body, bearing gunshot injuries, was later found dumped near Tumbiguda.
Police Response and Case Registered
At around 12.50 am, Hadipa's mother lodged a complaint at the Rayagada Police Station regarding her son's alleged kidnapping. A case bearing number 184/26 was registered under Section 143 of the BNS. Three separate investigation teams were constituted immediately after the case was registered.
Swathy S. Kumar, Superintendent of Police, Rayagada, confirmed the developments.
Point of View
Where armed groups appear willing to operate openly in residential areas and fire weapons on public streets. The fact that Hadipa's abductors allegedly entered a private home to drag him out before shooting him in a named lane of the town suggests a level of impunity that routine policing has failed to deter. MLA Appala Swamy's criticism of the state government reflects a wider erosion of public confidence in law enforcement in the district. The real test now is not just whether the four police teams secure arrests, but whether the Odisha government can demonstrate a credible response to what is increasingly looking like a law-and-order failure in Rayagada.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Nikhil Hadipa and what happened to him?
Nikhil Hadipa was a youth from the Raili Sahi area of Rayagada, Odisha, who was allegedly abducted at gunpoint and murdered on the night of 10 May 2025. His body, bearing gunshot injuries, was found near the Nagavali River close to Tumbiguda on Sunday morning.
Why was Nikhil Hadipa allegedly killed?
According to preliminary reports, the killing is believed to be linked to suspected past enmity. Police are investigating the motive as part of an active case registered under Section 143 of the BNS.
What action has the Rayagada Police taken?
Police registered case number 184/26 after Hadipa's mother filed a kidnapping complaint at 12.50 am. SP Swathy S. Kumar confirmed that the accused have been identified and four separate police teams have been deployed to arrest them.
What did Rayagada MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy say about the incident?
MLA Kadraka Appala Swamy of the Congress termed the incident 'highly condemnable' and 'deeply concerning'. He alleged that residents of Rayagada are losing faith in law and order and urged the Chief Minister to ensure the immediate arrest of all accused.
Where exactly was the body of Nikhil Hadipa found?
Hadipa's body was found near the Nagavali River close to Tumbiguda in Rayagada district on Sunday morning. Local residents spotted the body and alerted the police.
