Cameraman Manas Swain murder case: Niranjan Sethi helped prime accused Sharmistha to escape

Bhubaneswar: Former Director of I&PR department and OIS officer Niranjan Sethi, who is one of the accused persons in the cameraman Manas Swain murder case confessed before the Crime Branch that he had helped prime accused Sharmistha Rout to escape to Jajpur’s Kaliapani.

During his interrogation by the Crime Branch officers, Niranjan Sethi admitted quite a lot in connection with Manas murder case. He used to regularly visit Dayal Ashram as he liked social work. He also regularly visited Sampoorna office.

Niranjan went to the Sampoorna office at about 7 PM on February 7. 2022. At that time Sarmistha, Jhuna, husband of Jhuna, Raj, one person operating the computer, sister-in-law of Sarmistha were there in the office. Manas was brought to the office from Dayal ashram. He had also assaulted Manas in the office before leaving the spot about 10 PM.

On March 8, Sarmistha went to his house in Prashanti Vihar of Bhubaneswar. During this time he had given her Rs 10, 000 and also arranged one car for taking them to Kaliapani.

Special team of the Crime Branch under DSP Kalpana Sahoo, IO of the case proceeded to Sampoorna office along with Niranjan and Sarmistha.

Niranjan led the team and demonstrated the various activities of the persons present in the office as on 7.2.2022.

Sarmistha was also taken to her reentered house close to the office. Her mobile phone, which she had left in the house before going out was recovered.

Further interrogation and investigation are in progress. The accused persons will be produced in the court of JMFC Chandbali on Sunday.