Odisha: Social worker Aditya Dash’s wife, friends to undergo polygraph test
File photo of Aditya Dash
BHUBANESWAR: After prolonged dithering, the crime branch has moved the state forensic science laboratory (SFSL), seeking a lie-detection test on dead social worker Aditya Dash’s wife Bidyashree and three of his friends.
Cause of Aditya’s death continues to be a mystery ever since his body was found along the railway track near Lingaraj passenger halt on July 7. “We have received a request from the crime branch for the polygraph test. They have shared the FIR copy, case details, finding of the investigation so far and statements of those linked with the case. We are studying the documents and will prepare questions that will be asked to the four persons. The probe agency will also be asked to send us a list of questionnaires,” an SFSL official said.
Notably, the crime branch was earlier in two minds whether or not to go for the lie-detection test on Bidyashree and three friends of Aditya. However, the probe agency agreed to conduct the test following demands from several quarters to hand over the probe to the CBI.
Aditya’s death had sparked public outcry as he was a noted philanthropist and motivational speaker. Besides, he earned accolades for providing shelter and food to homeless elderly people by the help of his NGO.
“We do not want to leave anything to chance. The polygraph test will ascertain whether the four key persons had given us correct statements or not,” a crime branch official said.
The crime branch is yet to ascertain whether Aditya committed suicide by jumping before a running train or was murdered.
The agency on July 30 took over the investigation from the government railway police (GRP) into Aditya’s death. The GRP, which had earlier suspected Aditya might have committed suicide by jumping in front of a running train, subsequently registered a murder case after his family members and friends alleged that he was killed by anonymous persons, who had threatened him for taking out an anti-liquor campaign in the city some time back.
“We are probing into Aditya’s suspected marital discord as the couple had a tiff a few hours before his death. We also heard alleged mismanagement of funds in his NGO. There were differences between Aditya and some of his NGO functionaries on the utilization of donations. The polygraph test will revolve around questions related to these issues,” the official said.
A few days ago, the crime branch moved to Facebook, seeking details of some messages and chats of Aditya.