Postmortem Report Rules Out Homicide In Odisha Asst Collector’s Death; Tribal Outfit Seeks CBI Probe

Rourkela: With the postmortem report of assistant collector Sushmita Minz (35) ruling out homicide, police are investigating other possible angles of suicide, abetment to suicide and accidental drowning in connection with her ‘mysterious’ death.

Sushmita was found dead in a pond of newly-constructed Sensory Park here on September 19 evening.

Plant Site IIC JR Pati told the media that there is no evidence of homicide and added that statements of  Sushmita’s family members and government officers would be recorded.

Meanwhile, members of the Sundargarh Adivasi Mach, a tribal outfit gheraoed the office of the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) here on Tuesday, demanding CBI probe into her death. “Sushmita Minz was murdered. Since the needle of suspicion points at Collector, the ADM, the local administration and police, the case should be handed over to the CBI. We will continue the agitation till our demand is fulfilled,” said Sarpanch of Kesramal panchayat, who joined the protest.

While claiming that she was depressed due to intense workplace pressure, Sushmita’s brother Sandip had earlier sought an investigation into the role of Sundargarh Collector, Rourkela ADM, Gurundia block development officer (BDO), Gurundia child development project officer and a woman sub-inspector in her death.

Also Read: Odisha Assistant Collector’s Death: Brother Cries Murder, Seeks Probe Into Officers’ Role

Since she was engaged in the land acquisition section, Sandip suspected she might have knowledge of some unwanted secrets of officers, who he alleged kept her away from the family during her difficult time of mental illness and depression.