Mystery Prevails Over Death Of CRPF Jawan Whose Skeletal Remains Were Recovered in Odisha

Rayagada: Even as mystery still shrouds the death of CRPF jawan whose skeletal remains were recently recovered from a hilltop in Rayagada, the family members of the deceased on Tuesday demanded a detailed probe into the incident.

As a bag containing identity card, wallet and other articles was recovered near the skeleton, it is suspected that the body belongs to the CRPF jawan Dharam Dev who hails from Uttar Pradesh. Dev was posted at the 4th battalion of CRPF under Seshakhal area.

As per reports, Dharam had reportedly gone missing on December 29 last year and a formal missing complaint was lodged by the family on January 2, 2020.

The mortal remains were today handed over the family of the deceased after a guard of honour at CRPF camp. The family members of the deceased jawan have demanded a detailed probe into the incident.

“We had earlier spoken with him (Dharam) and he had revealed that he was going to his duty. Though he appeared to be normal, we got information about his disappearance the next day. We suspect that somebody might have killed him. We are not aware whether he had any enmity with someone here or not,” said Sadapreet, a relative of Dharam.

Deceased jawan’s son Rakesh said, “We demand that police should conduct a thorough probe as we want justice.”

Rayagada SP Saravana Vivek M, on the other hand, informed that the skeletal remains were sent for tests to Berhampur and were today handed over to the family.

“After missing complaint was lodged, we had carried out a detailed probe. As all the items in bag including wallet, mobile phone and cheque book are intact, it could be a natural death. But our probe is underway,” said Vivek.

Rayagada SP further informed that, “We have got information that the jawan had undergone some psychiatric treatment and we will soon try to collect more information from the doctor.”