Indian police probe deaths of Russian lawmaker Pavel Antov and companion Vladimir Bidenov
- Wealthy Antov, 65, is said to have criticised the war in Ukraine; police say he may have fallen from a roof terrace in Orissa state, where he was on holiday
- His body was found on Saturday, two days after Bidenov, in the same travel party, apparently suffered a fatal heart attack at the same hotel
Indian police are investigating the sudden deaths of a wealthy Russian politician who reportedly criticised the Ukraine war and his travelling companion at a luxury hotel, authorities said on Tuesday.
The body of Pavel Antov, 65, was found on Saturday in a pool of blood outside his lodgings in eastern Orissa state, where he was on holiday with three other Russian nationals.
His death came two days after another member of the travel party, Vladimir Bidenov, was found unconscious after suffering an apparent heart attack at the same hotel and could not be revived.
Police said they were reviewing CCTV footage, questioning hotel staff and were waiting on detailed autopsy reports, but so far there was no sign of foul play.
“All possible angles as regards to the deaths of two Russian nationals are being verified,” said regional police chief Rajesh Pandit.
Bidenov’s heart attack had likely been caused by binge drinking and a possible drug overdose, he said.
“So far it seems that Antov accidentally fell from the hotel terrace,” he added.