Kolkata: : Biranchi Das, former coach and mentor of world’s youngest marathoner, Budhia Singh, was shot dead on Sunday by unidentified persons in Bhubaneswar. The incident occurred at Das’ Judo Club located behind Bhanja Kala Mandap in the state capital between 7.10 to 7.20 pm. Das, who is also a judo instructor, was at the main hall of the club when two men arrived on a bike. They called out his name and when Das emerged, fired at him from close range. They then fled from the spot.

It is suspected that the assailants were known to him as Das had called out “Raja, Please” before they opened fire. One of them was wearing a helmet. Coincidentally, the locality saw a power cut immediately after the firing, which hinted at the possibility of the murder being a pre-planned one.

On hearing the gun shots, local people rushed to the spot and found Das lying in a pool of blood. The police were informed and Das was taken to the Capital Hospital where he was declared brought dead.

According to police, the miscreants had fired a number of rounds from close range with two bullets being pumped into his chest while another one was found near the body. Das’ relatives, meanwhile, alleged that notorious criminal Raja Acharya was behind the incident. “We have identified people behind the incident though we do not want to reveal names now. Raids are on and they will be arrested shortly. Primary investigation reveals that Das was shot due to personal enmity,” DCP, Bhubaneswar, Amitava Thakur told The Indian Express over phone.