Manas Swain murder case: Prime accused Sarmistha Rout’s brother held

Bhubaneswar: In ongoing investigation into sensational murder case of cameraman Manas Swain, Odisha Police nabbed brother of prime accused Sarmistha Rout, who is still at large.

Police apprehended Parameswar Rout, Sarmistha’s brother, from Vijayawada in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

Pararemswar had allegedly planned for his sister’s escape following murder of Manas Swain.

Yesterday, Chandbali police had arrested two persons including former Information & Public Relation (I&PR) Director Niranjan Sethi for their alleged involvement in the murder case.

Also Read: Lensman Manas Swain murder: Former Odisha I&PR Director arrested

The investigation revealed that the retired OIS Officer had called Sarmistha for around 30 times a day.

Also Read: Manas Swain murder: Sarmistha’s pic with cops raises question; Call details reveal new facts

Manas Swain, a resident of Godipokhari village in Ranpur area of Nayagarh, was working as a cameraman in a Bhubaneswar-based web portal ‘Sampoorna’ run by Sarmistha Rout. His body was exhumed from Badhipatna hills in Nayagarh district on March 12, weeks after he went missing from Chandbali area in Bhadrak district.

Initial probe indicated that Manas Swain was abducted, brutally assaulted and killed for possessing a microchip that is suspected to have contained some obscene video clips.

Sarmistha Rout, who is suspected to be the key conspirator behind murder of the cameraman, is absconding. The investigation is underway to trace whereabouts of the prime accused.