In a highly shocking incident, woman cricketer Rajashree Swain from Puri district was on Friday found hanging from a tree in a forest of Athagarh’s Gurudijhatia area in Cuttack district.
Though the reason behind the death was yet to be ascertained, it was alleged by her family members that she was murdered as the body bore injury marks while the eyes were damaged.
Earlier, she had gone missing from Cuttack city under mysterious circumstances. Her coach had lodged a complaint in this regard with the Mangalabag police.
Rajashree’s scooter was found abandoned in the forest, which raised the suspicion of foul play. Besides, her mobile phone was found switched off.
According to reports, as many as 25 women cricketers, including Rajashree, were part of a training camp organised at Bajrakabati here for an upcoming national-level cricket tournament scheduled to be held in Puducherry. All of them were staying in a hotel in the locality.
The Odisha team was announced on January 10 while Rajashree was not included in the final list.
Next day, the players went to a cricket field in Tangi near here for practice. However, Rajashree informed her coach that she was going to Puri to meet her father. As she went missing, the coach filed a complaint with police.
The Odisha Cricket Association OCA, in a statement, ruled out any discrimination in the selection process and said the final 16 players were chosen by an experienced team of selectors.
Cuttack Superintendent of Police Pinak Mishra said, “Police will try to probe all angles to ascertain the reasons the death and establish if she committed suicide or was killed.”