Odisha Lensman Murder: CB Takes Prime Accused Sarmistha, Aide Jhuna On 3-Day Remand

Bhadrak: The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Court, Chandbali on Sunday granted three-day police remand of prime accused Sarmistha Rout, and her associate Jhuna Bhoi in cameraman Manas Swain murder case.

The two other accused, former OIS officer Niranjan Sethi and Ranjan Nayak, were sent to jail.

The four accused were produced in Chandbali court by Crime Branch on Sunday after their 5-day remand ended on Saturday. The Crime Branch had prayed for fresh remand for further probe in the abduction and murder case of the lensman.

During their remand, the Crime Branch interrogated them and took them to various places to recreate the crime scenes.

On Saturday, Sethi reportedly admitted to having beaten Manas on February 7 at Sampoorna’s office at Sundarpada in the state capital. Sarmistha, owner of a web portal based in Bhubaneswar and editor of Sampoorna magazine, is the main accused in the case.

The Crime Branch visited Sampoorna’s office on Saturday for further investigation. However, several crucial documents and office items from Sarmistha’s Sky Tower flat in Bhubaneswar have reportedly gone missing. It is suspected that her sister-in-law, who had been staying at the flat, has taken away the papers and belongings to destroy evidence.

Also Read: Odisha Lensman Murder: More Details Emerge About Role Of Sethi, Sarmistha

A diary belonging to Sethi was found in Sarmistha’s bedroom during investigations.

Sethi is a retired Odisha Information Service (OIS) officer and former Director (Technical) of the state Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Department.