Bhubaneswar, June 19 -- A Mahima Alekh monk was allegedly murdered near a pond in Odisha's Keonjhar district on Friday morning, with family members claiming that a property dispute and repeated death threats may have led to the killing.

The incident occurred in Amuni village under Sadar police limits in Banspal block. The deceased has been identified as Srikanta Mahakud, who was associated with the Alekh Mahima Math at Binida and regularly performed religious rituals there.

According to preliminary information, Srikanta had gone to a village pond for a bath between 5:30 am and 6:00 am on Friday. A few hours later, he was found lying dead near the pond with severe head injuries. Police suspect he was attacked with a stone.

The victim's ...