Manas Swain murder: Former Odisha Information Service officer confesses his involvement in case

Bhubaneswar: On the last day of five days remand of four accused in cameraman Manas Swain murder case today, one of them confessed to his involvement in the crime before the State Crime Branch of Odisha Police.

Crime Branch official sources stated another accused Niranjan Sethi told the investigating agency that on February 7, the former Odisha Information Service (OIS) Officer Sethi had visited the Sampoorna office where Sarmistha, Jhuna Bhoi, Jhuna’s husband, sister-in-law of Sarmishta, Ranjan and a computer operator were already present. Sarmistha and her accomplice had brought Manas from Dayal Ashram to Sampoorna office

Sethi added he also thrashed Manas at the Sampoorna office. At around 10 PM on February 7, Sethi left the spot.

The next day, on February 8, Sarmistha visited Sethi’s Prasanti Vihar house. The retired OIS officer gave Rs 10,000 to Sarmishta and arranged a car for her travel to Kaliapani.

Today, the Crime Branch took Sarmistha and Niranjan to the spot where Niranjan gave a demo to the investigating agency.

The investigating agency also seized a mobile phone at Sarmistha’s flat at Skytower apartment that she knowingly left behind to mislead the police. Also, a diary of Niranjan Sethi has been seized.

However, the Crime Branch is yet to recover the memory chip because of which Manas Swain was murdered. The agency is yet to make any headway in its investigation regarding the memory chip.

As the five-day remand of the four accused in the murder case has ended today, the Crime Branch is expected to produce them before the court tomorrow.

Earlier, Ranjan Nayak and Sarmishta have confessed to their involvement in the murder case during the remand period.