Russian Lawmaker: Odisha Police Intensifies Investigation into the Mysterious Death of Putin’s Critic
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Dec 27: The ministry of external affairs is keeping an eye on the intensified investigation by the Odisha police into the mysterious deaths of two Russians, including a known critic of President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine, in a hotel in Rayagada, about 400 kilometres from Odisha’s capital city of Bhubaneshwar.
Even though the Odisha police after preliminary investigation ruled out any “foul play” into the deaths of both Pavel Antov, a Russian lawmaker and critic of Putin, and his friend Bydanov Vladimir, although two unnatural death cases have been registered and the police have intensified the investigation after learning about the strategic importance of the deaths since Pavel was also a politician, a deputy of the Legislative Assembly of the Vladimir Region. A report said he was also the head of the Committee of the Legislative Assembly of the Vladimir region on agrarian policy, nature management and ecology
Both Antov (65) and Bydanov (61) were travelling with couple-friends Mikhail Turov (63) and Natalia Panasenko along with their travel agent Jitendra Singh from Delhi as part of sightseeing, said Rayagada police on Tuesday. They were staying in Sai International Hotel at district headquarter town of Rayagada.
After landing in Bhubaneshwar, the group had first travelled on December 21 to Daringibadi, a hill station in Kandhamal district before heading to Rayagada, said Rasmi Ranjan Pradhan, inspector in-charge of Rayagada police station. They had also visited Chatikona, a traditional tribal market, before reaching Rayagada. They were supposed to move to Jeypore in the neighbouring Koraput district as part of Antov’s 66th birthday trip.
All of them had checked into Sai International Hotel in Rayagada town. The couple booked a separate room, while Bydanov and Antov stayed together.
“On the evening of December 21, they had a drink in the hotel room. The next morning, Bydanov fell sick and was rushed to the Rayagada district headquarters hospital where he was declared dead. According to a doctor, Vladimir had died of a heart attack. He had alcohol on empty stomach,” said Mr. Pradhan.
Police informed the Russian Embassy in New Delhi about the incident. It took two days to avail permission to cremate Vladimir on December 24. It was not possible for Bydanov’s family members to reach Rayagada, therefore, police performed the last rites of the Russian at the local cremation ground on Saturday.
Antov who was visibly upset and went back to his hotel room after the cremation of his friend. Later in the evening, he reportedly fell from the third floor of the hotel and was rushed to the hospital. Odisha Police has been investigating the matter, however, the police have not found anything suspicious about Antov’s death. Although, an unnatural death case was registered.
“Investigation is going on and all possible angles are reviewed. We are awaiting post mortem report. Viscera will be sent for further scientific investigation. CCTV footage has been seized, senior officers of Rayagada Police have visited the spot,” Rajesh Pandit, DIG, South West Range said.
“We will ask Crime Branch to support the investigation of Rayagada Police if necessary. All help will be provided to the Russian Embassy,” Director General of Police Sunil Bansal told mediapersons.
Antov was critical of the Russian attack on Ukraine. “As of now, we have not found any foul play. The post-mortem report says the heart problem was the reason behind the death of Vladimir. The exact reason would be known when the final report is received. The preliminary investigation says Antov had ended his life,” said Sunil Bansal, Director General of Police.
Mr. Bansal said State Crime Branch had been asked to help Rayagada district police. Embassy of Russia is yet to respond to the development. Hotel proprietor Kaushik Thakkar said Antov was under depression after the death of his friend. Rayagada is a tribal-dominated district and home to, Dongria Kondh, a particularly vulnerable tribal group that had turned down a proposal from Vedanta Aluminium to mine the Niyamgiri hills for bauxite in 2013.
Police are looking at multiple angles in the case. According to Pradhan, there was a possibility that Antov could have fallen from the terrace accidentally, or that he died by suicide after the death of his friend Bidenov.
A meat tycoon who headed Vladimir Standard Group of Companies, Antov died two days after his companion Vladimir Bydanov allegedly died of cardiac arrest. According to Russian media reports, Antov was one of the leading manufacturers of meat sausages in Russia. He founded the meat company “Vladimir Standard.” In 2019, Antov’s declared annual earnings were listed as £130 million in an analysis by Forbes Russia, which made him one of Russia’s wealthiest lawmakers by declared earnings.
He had opposed the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
In June this year, he criticised the Russian missile strikes on Ukraine. He had written on social media, “A girl has been pulled out from under the rubble, the girl’s father appears to have died. The mother is being pulled out with a crane” she is trapped under a slab. To tell the truth, it is extremely difficult to call this anything other than terror.”
Later, as he faced a strong backlash, Antov deleted the social media post and said it was an “unfortunate misunderstanding” and a technical error.
Meanwhile, Mikhail and Natalie are still in Rayagada and police are in contact with the couple. Though the couple was asked to stay back and coordinate with the investigation, the police said they will be allowed to go following the completion of basic procedures.
