Odisha director-general of police Y.B. Khurania on Saturday ordered a crime branch probe into the death of a cannabis peddler who was allegedly beaten to death by police.

The incident was reported in Kandhamal district. The deceased has been identified as Jyestha Bandki.

“Considering the sensitivity of the matter, as per the order of the DGP, Odisha CID crime branch took charge of it for further investigation and registered a case. Deputy superintendent of the police crime branch Rajat Kumar Ray will investigate the matter,” the order said.

The ganja smuggler’s body was found in Kandhamal on September 27. His family alleged that the police killed Bandki and then dumped his body.

Bandki and his friend Dasiri Dagyal were allegedly smuggling ganja and illicit liquor when a police team intercepted them on September 26. When they tried to flee, the police team chased them in their vehicle and mowed down their motorbike, leaving them injured.

The friend of Bandki escaped, but the police got hold of Bandki. It was alleged that he was beaten to death by the police team.