Manas Murder Case: Prime Accused Sharmistha Hid For 3 Days At In-Laws House

Sharmistha, the prime accused in the sensational murder case of Nayagarh cameraman Manas Swain hid herself for three days at her in-laws house to avoid coming under police net. 

The mother-in-law of Sharmistha, Shantilata who resides at Kolipasi village under Kaliapani police limits in Jajpur has informed the media about Sharmistha's visit to their house. She had also apprised the police investigation team about the incident during interrogation on March 19.

As per Shantilata's statements, Sharmistha came to their house with another woman named Jhuna Bhoi late night on March 7. She clarified that she had come to the village on some paperwork for Ashram and stayed there for three days before leaving on March 10. 

On the murder charges against her daughter-in-law, Shantilata said, "If found guilty, Sharmistha should be punished as per law." 

Shantilata said that Sharmistha and her son, Jitesh Kumar Bal, a journalist by profession, loved each other and subsequently tied nuptial knot in 2013. They both had a son three years later and were staying in Bhubaneswar ever since. 

However, their relationship took a hit following some dispute a few months later before they eventually parted ways in 2018, Shantilata said while clarifying that she has no idea why they got separated. 

She also claimed that since then, their family has also no connection with her son Jitesh.

Meanwhile, Chandbali police on Wednesday sealed off the entire office of 'Sampoorna' news at Sky Tower Apartment in Bhubaneswar.  A team of police seized the car purportedly used by Sharmistha in kidnapping and transporting the body of cameraman Manas and several incriminating documents and other materials including two computer hard disks and a camera set during a raid at the office.