Biranchi Das, Marathon kid Budhia Singh’s coach, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The incident was occurred at 7:05 pm. Biranchi Das was taken to a city hospital after the incident by his relatives & friends, where he was declared brought dead. Biranchi Das was holding coaching session in Orrisa. Biranchi was at function celebrating the Oriya New Year in Bhubaneswar. Assailants came on a bike & fired three shots from close range of which two hit him.

Biranchi Das’ claim to fame was helping Budhia become a running sensation. He, however, was arrested in 2007 on charges of physically & emotionally torturing Budhia. Das & his wife had adopted Budhia after reportedly rescuing him from a slum.

Biranchi Das’s wife said, “I am not in stable condition”. Bhubaneswar Police has not arrested anyone yet. Police has informed all the senior officials.

Das came in news when he coached Budhia for a 65 km run from Puri to Bhubaneshwar, which he completed in 7 hours & two minutes. The run kicked off a controversy with several organizations & the district child welfare committee objecting to such shows involving a small boy.

Later Budhia’s mother Sukanti lodged an FIR against Das accusing him of physically torturing the boy & taking him away from Das. Das was also accused of threatening Budhia & his mother Sukanti, who even asked for security for Budhia & herself.