The Odisha Crime Branch on Wednesday took over the investigation of the sensational Nayagarh cameraman Manas Swain murder case , Crime Branch ADG Sanjeev Panda informed the media.
The murder case probe has been handed over to the Crime Branch on the direction of the Director-General of Police (DGP).
Earlier on Wednesday, the family members of Manas made some explosive claims, alleging the complicity of two Odisha Ministers Pratap Jena and Dibya Shankar Mishra in the murder case.
Demanding immediate arrest of all the accused involved in the crime, Manas' wife also threatened to kill herself in front of the residence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik if denied justice.
Police have so far arrested five persons, including former Odisha Information Service (OIS) officer Niranjan Sethi, in connection with the brutal murder of the 28-year-old cameraman. However, the key accused in the case Sarmistha Rout who runs a web channel in Bhubaneswar is still absconding.
As per police, cameraman Manas Swain was kidnapped from Bhadrak on February 6 and brought to an old age home run by Sharmistha where he was reportedly murdered. His body was recovered from Badhipatna hills in Rajsunakhala area of Nayagarh on March 12, the police said.
Police today said that it has recovered the car used by Sharmistha from Sky Tower apartment under Airfield Police limits in Bhubaneswar.
Meanwhile, police also brought Parmeswar, the brother of Sharmistha, to Chandbali from Vijaywada, where he was nabbed. Parmeswar is said to be the one who helped Sharmistha in escaping the police net after murder came to light.