In a shocker of news, India's star hockey player Birendra Lakra has been accused of killing his childhood friend Anand Tappo in February this year. As per reports, the deceased family members in a press conference alleged that Lakra and his friend Manjeet Tete were involved in his murder.
Anand Tappo was found hanging in flat no. 401 of Ayush Radium in Infocity, Patia around 10 am on February 28, 2022, 10 days after his marriage.
Anand’s father Bandhan Toppo, mother Ashrita and his two uncles have alleged Bhubaneswar police of not acting and demanded CBI investigation into the matter.
Bandhan claimed that on February 28 this year, Birendra informed him about Anand’s death. However, he did not give any relevant details of what happened there. Bandhan went on to claim that he immediately rushed to Bhubaneswar from Rourkela and wanted to lodge a complaint, but the police refused to entertain him and sent his son’s body for autopsy to AIIMS the next day.
It is also worth noting that Lakra, the former Indian Hockey Vice-Captain and Olympic Bronze medalist had joined as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Odisha Police on February 17. Thus, Bandhan is fearful that Birendra may suppress the inquiry once again.
“I was told that Manjeet was in the bathroom and Birendra was in the drawing-room when my son took the extreme step. The girl first saw Anand hanging and brought him down. This story and the circumstances in which my son was found dead raise serious doubts. My repeated efforts to seek a detailed investigation by the Commissioner and DCP of Bhubaneswar were turned down. It seems the police are trying to hush up the case by giving it a colour of unnatural death case as Birendra is a Deputy SP and a big name in hockey,” the deceased father said.
Bandhana said, “It would be difficult on part of a father to bear his newly married son’s death. After an argument, Birendra and Manjit had tied Anand’s hands before strangulating him to death at the apartment and termed it suicide.
Bandhana further said, “Anand returned to Bhubaneswar after getting married. The trio (Birendra, Anand and Manjit) was leading a happy life. On February 28, Birendra called me to inform me that Anand committed suicide. When our family members reached the spot, Birendra showed ignorance about the matter. From the prima facie evidence it was clear that Anand was murdered. Sensing Birendra’s hand behind Anand’s death, we went to file a complaint with Infocity police. However, the police had not received our complaint. Even after four months, police have failed to unravel the exact reason behind Anand’s death.”
“Had Anand committed suicide, police would have established the reason behind Anand’s committing suicide. Police should clarify the reason behind delaying the investigation”, said Bandhan.
