The commissionerate police (Bhubaneswar-Cuttack) on Friday gave a clean chit to international hockey player Birendra Lakra in the death case of his friend Anand Toppo.
Anand, 28, was found dead in Lakra’s flat in Bhubaneswar on February 28, 2022. His father, Bandhan, had alleged that his son was murdered and Lakra’s role in it could not be ruled out. Bandhan had approached the high court following which the police launched a probe on December 6, 2022.
Deputy Commissioner of police, Bhubaneswar, Pratik Singh told The Telegraph, “As per the instruction, we did our inquiry. Today, we submitted it to the lower court. It’s a case of suicide”.
The police said: “Based on the available evidence, and medical-legal reports it is clear that the cause of the death of Anand Toppo is suicidal hanging and there is no suspicion of any foul play. The injuries found on the neck of the deceased could be ante mortem and suicidal in nature.” It further said: “The victim had consumed alcohol and barbiturates before his death. Hence the doubt of forcible administration of alcohol and drugs is not possible.”
Bandhan had alleged that Lakra and his girlfriend had a hand in the “murder.” “Why should a 28-year-old man travel 500km from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar to commit suicide? And this happened just 12 days after his marriage,” he had said.
Anand got married on February 16. Anand’s brother Manjeet said: “We will consult with our lawyers on the issue of this development.” Lakra, 32, currently a deputy superintendent of police rank officer in Odisha, refused to comment.
