As many as five persons, including former I & PR Department Director Niranjan Sethi, have so far been arrested in connection with the case. Sharmishta is still on the run.
According to reports, a complaint had been lodged at Chandabali police station on February 14 with an allegation that Manas was missing then. Accordingly, a case under Section 363 and 34 was registered at the Chandbali PS. Manas was working with a web portal run by Sharmistha Rout.
To avoid arrest, Sharmistha filed a petition in the High Court on February 23, seeking bail in advance. Ironically, Manas was found dead on a foothill in Nayagarh district on a later date.
The High Court conducted a hearing on March 16 and rejected her bail plea.
