Woman cricketer Rajashree Swain’s family blames coach, Odisha Cricket Association for her death

The family members of Odisha woman cricketer Rajashree Swain, who was found hanging from a tree in Gurudijhatia forest, have brought serious allegations against the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) and the coach of women's team, Pushpanjali Banerjee.

“The OCA and coach Banerjee are responsible for my sister’s death. We also suspect a bigger mystery in this. If she was under stress, she would have come home or killed her somewhere else. Why did she choose such a dense forest? What was done to her that she could not bear,” alleged Rajashree’s sister.

She was a fun-loving, happy going girl and would not do anything like this until she was under some unbearable pressure, she added.

Meanwhile, Rajashree Swain's father has brought serious allegations of murder. 

"My daughter was killed and hanged by OCA," her father said. On the other hand, there have been reports of injury marks on her head and eye.

Speaking to OTV, Rajashree’s mother said, “She had come to Cuttack for a selection camp. She was living at Palace Hotel. After 10 days selection camp, she was intentionally excluded from the final team although she was the best player. She was under stress and had called up her sister. She informed that she was not included in the team despite being an all-rounder.”

“My daughter has been missing since then. But, they (the camp organisers) did not inform us anything. When we contacted them they claimed that Rajashree has gone missing,” her mother added.

Similarly, a relative said, “She has been playing cricket since the last 15 years. She has been playing since childhood. She was supposed to be a part of team to play in Pondicherry. However, she later informed us that she was not selected. We suspect she has been intentionally excluded from the final team."

Meanwhile, Gurudijhatia IIC told, “An investigation is on. We are looking into all angles as to why Rajashree chose this dense forest or is there any other mystery behind her death. She had been missing from January 11. We tracked her based on her phone location.”

“We are also going to interrogate the hotel staff and fellow players and many others to unearth the mystery behind the untimely demise of the young cricketer,” the IIC told.

The untimely demise has sent shockwaves across the promising cricketer's native village Bhuagaon under Ramchandi police limits in Puri district.

 

(Reported by Nilakantha Dora, OTV)