Kendrapara: In a development, the State Crime Branch has intensified its investigation into the much-hyped suicide of the theft accused who had allegedly committed suicide after escaping from police custody in Mahakalapada area of Kendrapara district. A team comprising of two officials has been sent to the deceased’s village.
Thursday, Odisha DGP Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma had ordered a Crime Branch probe to unearth the truth behind the incident.
Following the order, a team of the Crime Branch comprising DSP Alok Das and inspector Tapas Pradhan visited Mahakalapada police station Thursday night and discussed with police personnel regarding the matter.
The police will also visit Belana village, the native place of the deceased, Abinash Paital (25) to speak with his family members.
August 26, the DGP had suspended Shyamaghana Behera, the IIC of Mahakalapada police station for dereliction of duty, following the alleged suicide by the accused. He had also directed the Kendrapara police to initiate departmental action against the other staff of the police station. He had also asked DSP, Headquarters, Kartik Mallick to investigate the incident.
Worth mentioning here, Mahakalapada Police had arrested Abinash Paitala alias Musa the night before his suicide on charges of stealing a mobile phone. After interrogation, police put him in the lock-up.
The police took Musa to attend nature’s cal at around 10 pm. He managed to escape and could not be traced.
He was later found hanging from the staircase railing of one Haladhar Mallick’s house in the village the next morning.
Following the incident, irate villagers staged a road blockade at Balana Chhak on Jambu-Marshaghai Road. The family members alleged that he took the extreme step due to police atrocity.
Normalcy was restored after the district administration announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2.10 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and promised the job of a Home Guard to one of the family members.
