Odisha: Crime branch to probe Sanjay aide’s murder case

BHUBANESWAR: DGP Abhay on Wednesday entrusted the crime branch with the investigation of the alleged murder of Chittaranjan Palei, the personal assistant of the State Planning Board’s deputy chairman Sanjay Dasburma, in Puri.
The body of Palei, who went missing on Saturday evening, was found in a river on the outskirts of Puri on Sunday. Based on his family’s complaint, police registered a murder case against unidentified accused. Palei’s family members, including his wife, have accused Dasburma of conspiring to kill him.
“On the direction of the DGP, the crime branch has taken over the case (No. 424) registered at Sadar police station in Puri. DSP Sisir Kumar Mishra will be the investigating officer of the case. An inspector, a sub-inspector and an assistant sub-inspector will assist Mishra in the probe,” additional DGP (crime branch) Sanjeeb Panda said. He added that the investigating team will soon proceed to the pilgrim town and take over the probe from the local police.
Though Puri SP Kanwar Vishal Singh had constituted a special investigation team (SIT) for the purpose, Palei’s family members on Tuesday demanded a crime branch-led investigation to unravel the mystery surrounding his death.
Palei’s wife, Priyanka, said the crime branch should bring Dasburma and one Jagannath Sarangi (Palei’s friend) under the purview of investigation. “My husband had gone with Jaga to attend a feast. Since my husband was having some dispute with Dasburma, I suspect him of hatching a plan to eliminate him,” Priyanka said.
Dasburma, who has been denying the allegations levelled against him, said the high-level investigation will reveal the truth.
However, BJP, which has been pressing for Dasburma’s resignation, suspects the crime branch may shield the former BJD minister.
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