Police on Sunday sent the two mobile phones of deceased BJD Zilla Parishad (ZP) member Dharmendra Sahoo for forensic examination to the State Forensic Laboratory (SFL).
Cops had recovered the two phones near the residence of Sahoo in Bhubaneswar with the help of a dog squad from a plot near his house on Saturday.
Evidence from the mobile phones are expected to unfold the mystery behind the death of Sahoo as hours before his death, he had mentioned about some video clips being stored in the two cell phones.
Meanwhile, city DCP Prateek Singh said that besides the two mobile phones, the CCTV near the spot has also been seized. "It will be sent for forensic examination after submission before the Magistrate. Our investigation is underway," he added.
Police said a cook, who is living in the first floor of Sahoo’s house, is under their scanner and would be interrogated regarding the incident.
The BJD leader was found hanging in his residence at Sishupalgarh on the outskirts of the city. He was the member of ZP Zone 11 in Nimapara.
Around four hours prior to his death, Sahoo had shared a post on social media in which he mentioned about some video clips stored in the two mobile phones. This has created suspicion in the minds of many about the contents of the videos. “All the videos are in my two mobile phones. Please bring all those to public limelight,” Sahoo had written in Odia.
It was earlier reported that Sahoo had attempted suicide and taken to a private hospital in a critical condition. He later returned to his residence after recuperating.
The BJP has alleged the role of State School and Mass Minister and local MLA Samir Ranjan Dash in the case. But responding to the allegations, Dash said, “I have no knowledge of the matter. I can only speak about it after understanding the case.”