PSO accused of killing DIG joined three days ago: DGP

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (UNI) Personal Security Officer(PSO) S N Sharanghi, accused of killing South Western Range DIG Jaswinder Singh, joined his new assignment a few days ago.

State Director General of Police(DGP) Amarananda Pattnaik, who returned to the state capital this evening after conducting an inquiry into the killing of Mr Singh, told newspersons that Constable S N Sharanghi, recruited in 2003, had joined as PSO to the DIG only on October 21 last.

He was accompanying the DIG along with another PSO A K Sharanghi from Sunabeda to Padamapur when the tragic incident took place at Badakutinga near Rayagada killing the DIG.

The DGP said the PSO loaded his 9 mm gun to scare away the people, who were obstructing the road while collecting donations. According to Sharanghi the gun went off accidentally inside the vehicle killing the DIG on the spot, he added.

Mr Pattnaik said a case of murder had been registered in the Rayagada police station against both the PSOs and their mobile phones were seized to ascertain if there was any conspiracy in the killing of the DIG.

He said the investigation revealed that the bullet of 9 mm gun under possession with the PSO had hit the head of the DIG from the back. Incidentally, the PSO was sitting behind Mr Singh inside the vehicle.

The DGP said the accused along with the other PSO tried to project the incident as a naxalite attack but later confessed to the crime after driver C S Behera narrated the story in the FIR lodged with the Rayagada police station.

Mr Singh had joined his new posting as the DIG for Southern and Western range in September last. PSO A K Sharanghi had also joined in September last.

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