Manas Murder Case: CB Recreates Crime Scene, Suspects Memory Chip Not Sole Reason Behind Killing

The Odisha Crime Branch on Friday recreated the crime scene with main accused Sarmistha Rout in the sensational cameraman Manas Swain kidnapping and murder case. 

“On the fourth day of remand today, the main accused Sarmistha Rout is being taken to Chandbali in Bhadrak, Dayal Ashram in Bhubaneswar and Nayagarh where the body of Manas Swain was disposed of and crime scene is recreated,” said Crime Branch ADG Sanjeeb Panda. 

In the morning, Sarmistha was taken to Palaspur in Chandbali where Manas had gone to shoot video at a wedding. During the crime scene recreation, Sarmistha allegedly showed demos of how they hatched the plan to abduct Manas near a Dola Mandap at Badhimuha Sahi. 

Later, Sarmistha was taken to Bhubaneswar Dayal Ashram where Manas was held hostage after abduction and subsequently murdered. Sarmistha showed demos how Manas was murdered and where the weapons used in the crime were disposed of. 

Sarmistha will be taken to Nayagarh where the body of the deceased was disposed of. 

On the other hand, the other accused, who have been taken on remand, are being interrogated at the Crime Branch headquarters to gather further information about the crime.

Meanwhile, the Crime Branch claimed to have elicited fresh information from the accused during interrogation. The CB now suspects that the memory chip in possession of Manas was not the only reason behind his murder, and there could be other reasons too.

Police said the assailants had beaten up Manas in inebriated condition. Due to excessive torture and assault, he died. However, it is being probed if Manas was blackmailing the main accused. 

The Crime Branch may again appeal to the court for fresh remand of the accused if needed, sources said.