‘No foul play in Russian deaths’ | India News

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha crime branch has found no indication of foul play in the deaths of Putin critic Pavel Antov and his friend Vladimir Bydanov in a Rayagada hotel. It will take Interpol’s help, if required, said the Odisha DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal said on Sunday the state police’s Crime Branch investigation hasn’t found any indication of foul play yet in the mysterious deaths of Putin critic Pavel Antov, 65, and his friend Vladimir Bydanov, 61, in a hotel in Rayagada.
“We have some of the best officers in the investigating team. The probe has so far not found any dirty deeds in the deaths of the two Russians. If required, the Crime Branch will take the assistance of Interpol,” he said.
Businessman-lawmaker Antov fell to his death from the third floor of the hotel on December 24, two days after Bydanov died of a possible heart attack in the same hotel.
DGP Bansal said investigation is a time-consuming process and people “should not expect the investigators to get a clue today and quickly solve the case tomorrow”.
A series of questions have continued to remain unanswered. Though Antov’s autopsy report indicated accidental death, the Crime Branch has not officially confirmed the cause or whether he died by suicide or slipped or was pushed out a window.
Meanwhile, the investigation team on Saturday seized the burnt remnants of Antov and his friend from the cremation ground in Rayagada for forensic examination.