A harrowing story has come to light from Odisha’s Cuttack district where the police found the body of a 26-year-old cricketer hanging from a tree in a forest on Friday. According to reports, the victim was identified as Rajashree Swain who had come to the city to attend a training camp for an upcoming national-level tournament.

The 26-year-old cricketer had been missing since January 11, after which her scooter was found near the forest when the police arrived. Swain had come to attend the training camp organised by the Odisha Cricket Association for a national-level tournament which will be held in Puducherry.

Rajashree Swain, who was attending the training camp in the state, failed to get selected in the 16-member team for the tournament, owing to which her death is being attributed to the failure.

Her roommate had also told the media that she was seen in a bad state after learning about the news of her not getting selected on Wednesday. The roommate further added that subsequently after she saw her crying, she went missing from the hotel where the players were put up.

Her coach, Pushpanjali Banerjee, had filed a missing complaint at the local Mangalabag police station in Cuttack City after she was not able to be contacted.

Family’s allegation

The victim’s family had alleged that she was murdered and thwarted the claims of it being a suicide. The family also substantiated their claims as they alleged that her body had injury marks and her eyes were also damaged.

The family had also claimed that the selection committee didn’t shortlist her despite her performance being better than the rest of the lot.

Cricket Association of Odisha’s CEO Subrat Behara had refuted the allegations by the family and said that the selection process was transparent and also expressed shock after learning the news of cricketer’s death.

Behara also said that if there was prejudice she wouldn’t have come this far and wasn’t selected in the 25-member probable team.

Police action

Deputy Commissioner of Police Pinak Mishra, while speaking to the media, said that a case of unnatural death has been registered and added that the police recovered the body hanging from a tree in Guruhijhatia forest in Athagarh area. He also added that they will investigate the case from all angle before coming to a conclusion.

Mishra also added that the cause of Rajashree Swain’s death will be determined after the reports of the post-mortem come out.

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