Berhampur, Jun 2: An FIR document reviewed by Argus News has raised fresh questions in the ongoing investigation into the death of 32-year-old daily wage labourer Susanta Sahu in Odisha's Ganjam district, whose family has alleged that he was illegally detained and subjected to custodial torture before his death.

According to the document, a plain-paper FIR was filed on May 21 by trainee IPS officer Nitesh Kumar Mishra following an alleged attack on a police team during a raid at an illegal stone quarry near Subalaya village under Kabisuryanagar police station limits in Ganjam District on May 20.

The FIR reportedly names four individuals -- Dillip Kumar Sahu, Basanta Sahu, Iswar Kumar Sahu and Pratima Sahu -- in connection with the alleged attack on Home Guard Krushna Chandra Pradhan during the operation.

Argus News accessed the document and found that Susanta Sahu's name does not appear in the FIR. However, authorities have not publicly clarified whether he was subsequently linked to the case through additional evidence, statements, or separate investigative findings.

As the investigation remains ongoing, it is not possible to independently determine from the FIR document alone why Susanta Sahu was allegedly detained.

Family Alleges Illegal Detention
According to Susanta's family, police took him into custody on May 25 in connection with the quarry-related case.

“While Iswar was formally arrested and produced in court, Sushant was illegally detained by the police and tortured to death. They poured hot water on him and used red chilli powder,” the victim's wife Mamajini Sahu alleged. His family said Susanta was disabled in one leg.

Mamajini said the family received a call at 8.30 pm Sunday asking them to pick up her husband. By then, he was already in a serious condition, they claimed.

“When his father and brother objected to taking him home in that condition, the police threatened them and forced them to sign a blank paper. We called an ambulance and rushed my husband to the nearest hospital at Aska. As his condition was serious, doctors referred him to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead at 1.30 am,” Mamajini said.

His wife, Mamajini Pradhan, alleged that he was in good health when he was taken away by police, but was returned to the family on May 31 in a critical condition.

Family members claimed that his body bore multiple injury marks and signs of physical assault. These allegations are currently under investigation, and authorities have not publicly confirmed the cause of the injuries.

As his condition worsened, Susanta was first taken to a nearby hospital in Aska and later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, the victim's family members claimed.

Police Action And Official Inquiry
Following the incident, Odisha Police transferred the entire staff of Kabisuryanagar Police Station.

Director General of Police YB Khurania ordered an inquiry by the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha Police, while Southern Range Inspector General Niti Sekhar initiated a preliminary investigation into the matter.

Based on preliminary findings, trainee IPS officer Nitesh Kumar Mishra was withdrawn from field duties and attached to the district police headquarters pending completion of the investigation.

Three other police personnel were also placed under suspension.

Also Read: Baranga Police Station IIC Transferred Amid Allegations Of Custodial Torture Of Youth In Cuttack

Investigation Continues
The FIR document has become a significant part of the ongoing discussion surrounding the case because it reportedly does not mention Susanta Sahu among the accused named in the original complaint.

However, investigators have not yet released their final findings, and no official conclusion has been reached regarding the circumstances of Susanta's detention or death.

Authorities continue to examine the sequence of events leading up to the incident, including whether any procedural violations occurred. The findings of the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha Police and other ongoing investigations are awaited.