Bhubaneswar: Sarmistha Rout, the prime accused in the abduction and murder of lensman Manas Swain that has rocked Odisha, hid at her in-laws’ house for three days, according to a report.
This was revealed by Sarmistha’s mother-in-law Shantilata, who lives in Kolipasi village in Jajpur, the report said, adding that she had informed the police about her visit during questioning.
Shantilata told the police that Sarmistha came to their house with another woman named Jhuna Bhoi on March 7 night. She stayed there for three days before leaving on March 10.
“If found guilty, Sarmistha should be punished as per law,” the report quoted her as saying.
Shantilata’s son Jitesh Kumar Bal, who is a journalist, and Sarmistha got married in 2013. They have a son. But the two separated in 2018.
After taking over the case, the Odisha Crime Branch on Wednesday formed two teams to investigate the matter.
Earlier on Wednesday, Chandbali police seized a car belonging to Sarmistha from the garage of Sky Tower apartment under Airfield police limits. It was reportedly used for kidnapping Manas and also for disposing of his body in Nayagarh district.
Her brother, Parameswar, was also brought to Chandbali police station after being nabbed in Vijaywada. He allegedly planned her escape from the state after the murder.
Also read: https://odishabytes.com/watch-sarmistha-rout-drove-the-car-in-which-odisha-lensman-was-kidnapped/
