Bhubaneswar: B.Tech student Arnab Mukherjee (21) from West Bengal, whose body was discovered outside an incomplete building in Bhubaneswar’s Mancheswar area on Monday, had requested his mother for Rs 200 shortly before his death, his father revealed on Wednesday.
His family, suspecting foul play, maintained that his death was neither suicide nor an accidental fall from the seven-storey structure. However, police investigations indicate that Arnab probably jumped to death from the seven-storey under-construction building, dismissing other possibilities. His body was located about 5 km from his university campus.
“Around 3.20 pm on Monday, Arnab called up his mother and sought Rs 200. My wife transferred Rs 200 to him through UPI. At 3.40 pm, his phone was found switched off,” Arnab’s father Jagdish stated.
Jagdish questioned the likelihood of his son requesting money if he had intended to end his life. He also expressed confusion regarding Arnab’s presence at the construction site.
“Police investigation has numerous unexplained aspects. I am convinced my son did not take his own life. He was possibly murdered. The investigation should explore all possibilities,” Jagdish said.
However, Jagdish has so far not lodged any formal complaint with the police. Assistant commissioner of police (Zone-V) Biswaranjan Senapati confirmed, “We have not received any complaint from Arnab’s family. They have not made any allegations against anyone before us.”
Following the post-mortem examination at Capital Hospital on Wednesday, police authorities released Arnab’s body to his family. “We are waiting for the post-mortem report,” Senapati said.
Jagdish accompanied police officials to inspect the construction site where Arnab’s body was found. Police retrieved Arnab’s mobile phone from the location on Wednesday and forwarded it to the forensic laboratory for analysis.
“Investigations revealed that Arnab left his hostel around 11 am on Monday. His classmates described him as notably reserved, with minimal social interaction. The varsity authorities, who were questioned, denied there was any study pressure on him. They are clueless about the circumstances leading to his death,” Senapati said.