Rourkela Assistant Collector Sushmita Minz’s death: Viscera report rules out murder

Rourkela: In an ongoing probe into the death of Rourkela Assistant Collector Sushmita Minz in Sundargarh district, the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha Police ruled out the murder allegation after collecting a viscera report.

“It was not murder. The death was due to drowning. As per the post-mortem report, the drowning was antemortem in nature. We are investigating other angles that could have been the reason behind the death,” Rourkela HRPC DSP Banita Majhi informed today.

Speaking to reporters, she said that the police received the viscera report of the deceased Assistant Collector from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL). The report is being examined. The mobile phone of the deceased has been sent to the SFSL, Bhubaneswar, again for the recovery of data including audio, video, photos, and files.

When asked about murder allegations, the senior police official ruled out it.

“There was no evidence of murder. The post-mortem report reveals it as an antemortem drowning. There was no injury on the body,” Majhi said.

So far, more than 20 persons including Sundargarh Collector have been examined in the death case. The statements of family members, who alleged murder, have been recorded, she added.

Earlier, the autopsy report confirmed antemortem drowning.

Sushmita Minz, the Assistant Collector of Rourkela, was found dead in the pond of Sensory Park within Plant Site police limits in Rourkela on September 19.

Sushmita’s brother Sandip (35) lodged the complaint at the police station alleging murder. He claimed that his sister was in depression due to work pressure at office. He blamed Sundargarh collector, Rourkela ADM, Gurundia BDO, a lady CDPO and a woman cop for her death.