Russian tourists' death in Odisha: Crime Branch constitutes another team for probe

Intensifying its probe into the mysterious death of two Russian nationals including politician Pavel Antov in Rayagada, the Odisha Police Crime Branch on Thursday constituted another team to investigate the matter.

According to sources, the newly constituted four-member team will be headed by a DSP rank officer. The team is comprised of a forensic expert and a photographer. 

As per Crime Branch sources, the team is already en route to Rayagada and will visit the spot to dig out more information about the deaths of foreign nationals with the help of local police.

Meanwhile, the alleged hasty cremation of Pavel's body as per Hindu rituals instead of burial has raised many questions.

Critics of Russian President Vladimir Putin who died under mysterious circumstances

The death of Pavel Antov, a business tycoon and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has sent ripples across the globe. The lawmaker had been constantly opposing Russia-Ukraine war.

This is not the very first time when a critic of Putin had died under mysterious circumstances. 

Ravil Maganov, chairman of the second largest oil company, had died after falling from a hospital window in Moscow, in September, soon after the war broke out between Moscow and Kyiv.

Similarly in April, Russian gas giant Novatek's senior manager Sergei Protosenya, his wife, and daughter were found dead in a rented villa in Spain under mysterious condition.

Likewise, Vladislav Avaev, former vice-president of a Russian bank Gazprombank, his wife and daughter were found dead in Moscow.

However, the Russian Embassy in New Delhi has turned down any criminal angle in the death of Pavel Antov.