In the latest development surrounding the sensational Manas Swain kidnapping and murder case, the Crime Branch has sealed Dayal Ashram, the old age home operated by the prime accused Sarmistha, in Bhubaneswar on Sunday.
Cameraman Manas Swain, a resident of Nayagarh district, was allegedly tortured and beaten to death in the above mentioned ashram.
Earlier in the day, Crime Branch officials along with a forensic team reached the elderly care home and conducted a detailed examination.
Sources close to the team said it has gathered some crucial clues and also seized a few wooden planks from the crime spot which are suspected to have been used in the crime.
This apart, the team is also said to have collected information from the caretaker regarding the visits of people to the ashram especially those who were at the ashram on the day of crime.
During the probe that lasted for over two and a half hours, the team has reportedly collected fingerprints from various spots inside the ashram using the 3D camera and CCTV footage of the day of crime.
The team also carried out a scientific and chemical examination of Sarmistha’s car at Airfield police station. Since the body was transported in this car, the inspection of the car assumes significance.
Sources said, the CB team is very likely to visit the spot in Ranapur where Manas' body was exhumed, deceased cameraman’s house and Sarmistha’s ‘Sampurna News’ office for further investigation.
ADG, Crime Branch, Sanjeev Panda said, “A Crime Branch team visited Dayal Ashram, the suspected crime spot. It carried out a detailed inspection of the spot with the help of the forensic team and 3D scanner.”
“The team also examined the car used in the crime. This apart, the statements of the eyewitnesses have also been recorded. CB officials and a team of Bhadrak police are on the lookout of Sarmistha Rout, the prime suspect in the case,” added Panda.