By Our Correspondent
BHADRAK/BHUBANESWAR: The Crime Branch (CB) team, which is investigating into the Nayagarh cameraman Manas Swain murder case, on Friday met the Bhadrak SP and later went to the spot, from where the cameraman was abducted. The CB officials questioned a couple of persons in connection with the case.
Manas’ associate said the memory card contained a short film which was shot in Puri. The film featured former OIS officer Niranjan Sethi and a couple of other actors taking bath in sea near Puri beach, he said.
But despite multiple raids on the suspected hideouts of prime accused Sarmistha Rout, the agency was yet to ascertain her whereabouts. Sources said as she is not using mobile phone not to give away her location, police are facing difficulty in tracking her.
Meanwhile, a resident of Palaspur village under the Chandbali police station in Bhadrak district, claimed that he had witnessed Sasmitha and her associates kidnap Manas on February 6.
Speaking to a TV channel, Ramesh Patra said, “Around midnight on February 5, Sarmistha and her aides came to the village posing as Baratis after parking their vehicle outside the village. Then, they approached Manas and dragged him into the vehicle and drove off at around 5 am on February 6.”
“When locals questioned them why they were forcing Manas into their car, they said Manas has stolen a camera and other valuables from them; so, they were trying to recover the materials from him,” the villager said.
In another development, Sarmistha’s mother urged police to release her son Parmeswar, who has been nabbed by the Chandbali police from Vijayawada in connection with the case. Parmeswar has been charged with aiding and abetting his sister Sarmistha in the murder.
Sarmistha’s mother said former OIS officer Niranjan Sethi had asked Parameshwar to send Rs 10,000 to Sarmistha. Her son is innocent and in no way connected with the murder. She further said if Sarmistha is guilty, she should be punished as per law.
Police have so far arrested six persons, including former I and PR Director (Technical) Niranjan Sethi, in connection with the brutal murder of the 28-year-old cameraman.
