More Skeletons Tumbling Out Of Lensman Manas' Murder

While there is no trace of three accused including kingpin Sharmistha Rout in the kidnapping and murder case of cameraman Manas Swain, fresh details have emerged about one of the absconding suspects. 

As per latest information, the youth who is the co-accused in the crime and an absconder has been identified as Raj Nayak. The other two who are also elusive from police net are - Sharmistha, the owner of Bhubaneswar-based web portal, Sampoorna and another woman.     

Raj, who originally hails from Odagaon area of Nayagarh, used to run a mobile accessories and repairing shop named ‘Raj Communication’ in Badabadi area of Khandagiri. He made a vanishing act after Chandbali police came knocking his doors while probing the murder case of Manas. 

“About three weeks back, Chandbali police came in the locality and inquired about the youth. I did not have much knowledge about him, but rented out the stall to him following reference of my younger brother. The police had told us that they are in search of him in a kidnapping case,” said the owner of the mobile shop. 

“Raj's shop was closed when the police came, and interestingly he too was present in the locality. Later that night, I told him that police were looking for him and asked him to meet the police. Since then he went into hiding,” the shop owner said.  

He further clarified he has no knowledge about the complicity of the Raj in the crime. “I never talked with him much. He used to pay the rent to my younger brother. Therefore, I had no direct link with him,” he added.  

Manas Swain, a resident of Godipokhari village in Ranpur area of Nayagarh had gone missing on February 7. Chandbali police had recovered Manas' body from Badhipatna hills in Rajsunakhala area of Nayagarh on March 12.

So far, the police have arrested three persons in connection with the brutal murder of the 28-year-old youth.