Gym owner’s mysterious death sparks outrage; role of family members under scanner

Mystery shrouds the death of a gym owner at Bhakarsahi under Balipatna police limits on the outskirts of the Capital city of Bhubaneswar. The deceased has been identified as Rashmi Ranjan Biswal. Family members of Rashmi are under scanner as they slyly conducted post-death rituals in a hush-hush manner without informing the police.

Moreover, before his death, Rashmi had recorded a video in which he claims that he would be killed by his family members. The matter came to the fore after his video went viral.

Local police have swung into action and started a probe into the incident. Circumstantial evidence indicates it to be a case of murder, police said adding that a forensic team visited the cremation ground and has collected some samples for examination. 

In the viral video, Rashmi can be heard saying, “My name is Rashmi Ranjan Biswal. I’m from Bhakarsahi, Banamalipur, Khordha. A few people are trying to kill me including my family members like Satyanarayan Biswal, Smrutiranjan Biswal, Swarnalata Sahu.”

“If I die, then the government should try to find out the reason for my death. All of them should be punished under the law. I’m sure, I will be killed. So, I’m releasing this video and requesting the government to give them stringent punishment,” he added.

When contacted, deceased Rashmi Ranjan’s aunt said, “He went to sleep after dinner on Thursday night. I don’t know about the video. Please investigate the matter.”

“Police should conduct a thorough probe and punish the culprits. He clearly named three people before his death. So, they should be given strict to stricter punishment,” said Kanhu Patra, a local villager.

SN Muduli, ACP Zone – 4, Bhubaneswar said, “We are probing the matter, but the deceased’s family members are not cooperating in the investigation. Through local inquiry, we came to know that the family members burnt his body in a hush-hush manner. The circumstances are very suspicious and he has himself stated in the video that he would be killed. So, we have registered a case of murder, and a thorough probe is on.”