Date:11/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/11/stories/2008101157170300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Music director found murdered

Staff Reporter

Four special squads have been constituted to track down the accused

BHUBANESWAR: Sumant Mohanty, a promising music director of Orissa, was found murdered in Chakeisiani area of capital city on Friday.

Miscreants had wrapped his body in a bed-sheet and placed inside his car dicky. News of murder of this young musician triggered shock and anger among artists’ fraternity.

Preliminary police investigation pointed out that the deceased was severely hit at his head and more than one person were suspected to be involved in the case.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Himanshu Lal said, “we have constituted four special squads to track down the killer.”

A city-based sound recordist, a music video actress and other acquaintances of the victims were being questioned by police to ascertain the motive behind the murder and get a clue before launching a manhunt for killer. The victim was a regular visitor to the sound recordist’s unit while the actress was said to be known to him.

Several television and music video actors assembled in front of Capital Hospital, where postmortem of the body was conducted.

They were angered due to gruesome murder. City police had a difficult time since a prominent hotelier was found murdered a couple of days ago.

At 35, Mohanty was a promising name in music circle. He had directed several Odissi songs and music of television serials.