Deogarh Murder: Kin Of 10 Accused Allege Pressure Tactics By Police

Deogarh: The family members of 10 accused who were arrested in connection with alleged murder of a man at Kankarkhol village under Reamal Police Station limits in Deogarh district have brought serious allegations against the inspector-in-charge (IIC) of the police station.

Holding a presser today, the family members of the accused persons alleged that Reamal Police Station IIC Pradeep Kerketta has been pressurising them not to demand a Crime Branch probe into the alleged murder of Santosh Pradhan.

Pradhan had gone missing in April this year and his son Anil had lodged a complaint at Reamal Police Station in this regard. Later, his body was recovered from a check dam near the village.

On June 24, the Reamal Police following an investigation arrested 10 persons in connection with the case.

Protesting the police action, the family members of the arrestees had submitted letters to Chief Minister, Odisha DGP, Crime Branch DG and Deogarh SP demanding Crime Branch investigation into the case.

However, the family members of the accused persons alleged Kerketta threatened them against going ahead with the demand for CB probe and forcibly took their signatures on plain paper.

Geetanjali Behera, a relative of an accused stated, "The IIC came to the village on August 30 and took our signatures on plain papers. They do not want Crime Branch investigation into the case."

On the other, Reamal Police Station IIC Pradeep Kerketta refuted the allegations and said that the family members of the accused persons are lying.

"They have been continuously lying. What will I get by threatening them," questioned Kerketta.

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