Hotel Manager Quizzed In Rourkela Assistant Collector’s Mystery Death

Rourkela: Police on Monday questioned the manger of the hotel, where Rourkela assistant collector Sushmita Minz had stayed before being found dead in a pond of newly-constructed Sensory Park here on September 19 evening.

Sources identified the hotel manager as Dinesh Rai. He was quizzed by Deputy SP (DSP) of Investigative Unit on Crime Against Women (IUCAW) Banita Majhi, who is investing the case, and his statement was recorded under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The hotel was also searched by the investigating team, sources added.

Earlier this month, police had summoned and questioned three persons, including Sushmita’s uncle and aunt, after an analysis of her call details record (CDR). On October 6, the DSP had questioned Sushmita’s husband Sushil Topno, a banker posted in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, for over two hours at the office of Rourkela SP.  Assisted by forensic experts and fire services personnel, Majhi had earlier searched for clues in the pond at the park. CCTV footage of the hotel, where Sushmita was traced to on September 17 after her brother lodged a missing complaint, was also seized for investigation. A couple of government officials were also examined in connection with the death.

Alleging foul play and involvement of government officials, Sushmita’s family as well as tribal outfits in the district, however, have been demanding for a CBI investigation into the alleged drowning death.

While the autopsy report attributed her death to drowning and ruled out possibility of homicide, the assistant collector’s brother Sandip Minz alleged there were cut marks on both hands, scratches on her neck and leg and burn-like injuries on her back.

While claiming that she was subjected to mental torture at her workplace, he, in a written complaint to the Plant Site police, had sought an investigation against Sundargarh collector, Rourkela ADM, Gurundia BDO and CDPO. The lady BDO of Gurundia block and another officer had landed at their home at Ramabahal in Rajgangpur on September 17 and stated they had come on the instruction of the collector to inform that Sushmita seemed mentally unstable and care must be taken, he said.

It was then that he immediately lodged a missing complaint at Uditnagar police station. The same night, police traced her at a hotel. However, she refused to return home. The Uditnagar IIC then assured of her safety and return later, he added.

The family was informed about her death on September 20 morning.