HC orders CB probe into constable’s death case

Brahmapur: In a significant development in the death of Odisha Motor Vehicle Department (OMVD) constable Ashutosh Mrudangia, the Orissa High Court has directed the State Crime Branch to take over the investigation, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress and outcome of the probe conducted by Brahmapur police. The order came on a petition filed by Ashutosh’s sister Nibedita Devi, who sought a fair and impartial investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

The High Court’s intervention assumes significance as the case had remained shrouded in controversy since Ashutosh suffered severe burn injuries on June 5 at Bijipur Police Colony in Brahmapur. He was initially treated at MKCG Medical College and Hospital and later shifted to AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, where he succumbed to his injuries after reportedly suffering nearly 80 per cent burns.

According to the allegations placed before the court, Ashutosh made two dying declarations during treatment, in which he reportedly named his wife Sandhya and her brother and alleged that they had poured petrol on him and set him ablaze. One of the dying declarations was recorded in the presence of an Executive Magistrate, according to reports.

The deceased’s sister alleged that despite the serious allegations and the dying declarations, no arrest was made and the investigation did not proceed satisfactorily. She further alleged that the fact that Ashutosh’s wife was herself a police constable influenced the course of the investigation.

Police had reportedly conducted polygraph tests on the accused and informed the court that no adverse evidence had emerged and that the investigation was nearing completion. The High Court, however, was not satisfied with the manner in which the case had been investigated and directed the Brahmapur SP to hand over all relevant records to the Crime Branch for an independent probe.

The death had earlier triggered demands from Ashutosh’s family for an independent investigation, including a CBI probe. His sister had also alleged that the police were protecting his wife because of her status as a police constable.

With the Crime Branch now taking over, the investigation is expected to revisit the circumstances of the June 5 incident, the dying declarations, the medical and forensic evidence, the alleged role of the persons named by Ashutosh and the reasons behind the delay in taking further legal action.

The High Court order has thus given a fresh turn to a case that had raised serious questions over the investigation into the death of the OMVD constable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sunil Mohan Patnaik

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