Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police Saturday arrested three persons in connection with Manish Anurag death case. The accused men have been identified as Amrit Pritam Biswal, Dinesh Mohapatra and Mrutyunjay Mishra.
Informing journalists about the arrests at a press conference, Bhubaneswar DCP Umashankar Das said they have been arrested on charges of murder and destroying evidence.
Notably, Mrutyunjay and Dinesh had surrendered at Phulbani police station in Kandhamal district October 13.
According to police, Manish had gone to Guavaz store to meet his friend Tapas October 9. Later, at about 5:30pm, Amrit reached at Guavaz store in a Maruti Suzuki Ciaz car to pick up Manish for a party. Manish, Amrit, Mrutyunjay and Dinesh first went to Laxmi Sagar area and then to South City bar at Bhagabanpur under Tamando police station.
While Dinesh slept inside the car during that night, the trio had an argument over payment of bills for food and drinks. Manish was forced to make the payment. Following this, he asked his mother to transfer some money to his account and his mother transferred Rs 8,000.
However, they had a dispute outside the hotel as well over the same issue. Later, Amrit, Dinesh and Mrutyunjay attacked Manish leading to his death. In an attempt to destroy evidence, they dumped the body in the pond.
Journalist Navin Das, the deceased’s father, lodged a report at Chandrasekharpur police station at 1:50pm October 10 stating that his son had been kidnapped for ransom October 9 evening. The same day at about 3pm, Manish’s body was found floating in a pond at Bhagabanpur village under Tamando PS.
Regarding any eyewitnesses, DCP Das said, “An eyewitness has given his statement that he had seen them in wet clothes at the crime spot.”
“Manish’s mobile phone is yet to be recovered. We are waiting for the postmortem report. Our investigation is on,” he added.
The police have seized the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz car bearing registration number OD 02 X-9696, four mobile phones and apparel of the accused persons.
A case has been filed against the trio under sections 364(A), 302, 201, 34 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). All the three accused were forwarded to the court Saturday.
PNN