Russians’ Death In Odisha: CB Sleuths Question Cop, Ambulance Staff In Rayagada

Rayagada: In a fresh development the probe into the mysterious death of two Russians, including lawmaker Pavel Antov, Crime Branch sleuths of Odisha Police on Monday questioned a police officer and three ambulance staff in Rayagada.

According to reports, the CB team which is camping in Rayagada quizzed the three ambulance staff who had taken Pavel Antov to the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) after he was found in a pool of blood on the hotel premises on December 24.

During the questioning carried out at hotel, the CB officials recorded the statements of the three. The whole exercise was aimed at ascertaining the exact sequence of events after Antov was spotted and then taken to the hospital.

The Crime Branch officials also questioned an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Rayagada Town police station, who was the first to have visited the hotel after Antov was found in a pool of blood.

The Crime Branch team comprising four officers and forensic experts is at Rayagada for the probe. The team members have visited the cremation ground where the last rites of Antov and his fellow-traveller Vladimir Bydenov were performed. They collected burnt remnants on December 31 for forensic examination.

They also carried thoroughly checked Room Nos 319 and 401 of the hotel where they had put up and seized the deceased’s laptop, mobile, passport and other important items.

They also obtained the list of guests who were staying in the hotel from December 1 to 27, with their corresponding addresses and other details for verification. The hotel staff were questioned.

This apart, CB sleuths have also recorded the statement of Russian couple Turov Mikhail and Pane Senko Natalia, who accompanied Antov and Vladimir, with the assistance of interpreter and travel guide Jitendra Singh. The entire process was done with audio-video recording.

Antov had died allegedly after falling from three-storeyed hotel where they were staying in Rayagada on December 24, two days after Vladimir died of suspected heart attack in the same hotel.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from the superintendent of police, Rayagada, on the mysterious death of the two Russians. The NHRC has sought the action taken report within four weeks.