Kandhamal: Mystery shrouds the death of a ganja smuggler whose body was found in a forest near Danganamu Ghati road under Gochrapada police limits in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.
The deceased has been identified as Jyostha Bandki, a native of Beherapada village under Kantamal police limits in Boudh district.
According to reports, Jyestha along with his friend Dasiri Dagyal were smuggling ganja and illicit liquor on a motorcycle on September 26 to Kantamal in Boudh. On the way, a patrolling party of Gochrapada police chased them and allegedly mowed down their two-wheeler. Both Jayesh and Dasiri were seriously injured in the incident but Dasiri managed to escape.
Jyestha, who was nabbed by the police, was beaten up brutally reportedly resulting in his death. Later, the police allegedly dumped his body in the ghat and fled with his money, contraband, and liquor.
A day later, some villagers spotted Jyestha’s body lying at the bottom of the gorge Gochapada police limits in Kandhamal district and informed his family members. The incident took a dramatic turn when his family accused the police of killing Jyestha and dumping his body in the gorge.
Jyestha’s brother alleged that Jyestha had left with his friend and they came to know about the incident from Dasiri. The police chased my brother and injured him grievously but instead of taking him to a hospital, they killed him.
Meanwhile, Phulbani SDPO Suprassana Mallick told the media that the police have taken up the allegations seriously and launched an investigation into the matter. A DSP-level officer has been asked to probe into the incident.
