Puri: The Odisha Crime Branch (CB), which is investigating the mysterious death of Chittaranjan Palei, a close associate of BJD leader and Deputy Chairman of State Planning Board Sanjay Das Burma, on Thursday questioned Burma’s Personal Security Officer (PSO), among others.
CB officials questioned Burma’s PSO Sarbeswar Jena and Palei’s nephew. Along with Palei, both had attended the feast after which he had gone missing. The feast was hosted by one Jagannath Sarangi.
Three others — Umakanta Paikray, Suryaprasad Mishra and Jagannath Sarangi — were also grilled by CB officials.
According to a report in the local media, a woman from Chakrapada in Puri is likely to be quizzed. Both Palei and Sarangi were frequent visitors to her house, the report indicated.
A CB team also reached Palei’s house and questioned family members.
Police are waiting for Palei’s viscera and autopsy reports. CDRs of all those present at the feast are also being scrutinised.
The body of Palei, who went missing from Brahmagiri in Puri district on Sunday, was found floating in Nuanai off Bhargavi river on Monday.
According to sources, fire service personnel were deployed after a motorcycle, footwear and chain were recovered near Gadamrugasira bridge under Puri Sadar police limits on Sunday night.
Villagers suspect that Palei was murdered while he had gone to attend a feast. Suspecting abduction by friends, his family had lodged a missing complaint at Puri Town Police Station.
