Police keen to speak to five people who may have been last to see Souvik Pal alive (From Messenger Newspapers)

Police keen to speak to five people who may have been last to see Souvik Pal alive

1:56pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News

POLICE investigating the death of Souvik Pal have released CCTV images of five people they believe may have seen him before his disappearance.

The body of Souvik, who was 18 when he died, was found in the Bridgewater Canal near to Old Trafford Football stadium on January 22.

The graphic design student, who came to Manchester from India in September 2012, was last seen outside the Warehouse Project, Old Trafford, at around 11pm on New Year’s Eve.

The CCTV stills show five people who were seen outside the night club, on Trafford Wharf Road, at around the same time CCTV footage shows Souvik walking around outside for a short period of time.

One of the people pictured is a young man, who at one point was seen walking away from the Warehouse Project with Souvik.

Det Ch Insp Colin Larkin said: "This has been a very difficult time for the family of Souvik Pal, who understandably want to know the circumstances surrounding his tragic death.

"Our investigation to try and meet this aim is ongoing and we need as much information as possible from the public.

"This is why we are asking for the people pictured to come forward and speak to the police about what they may remember.

"I want to firstly say to them that they are not in any trouble at all and there should be no reason for them to hesitate to get in touch with us.

"All we want know is what they saw, even if they don't think they have any information that is significant to this investigation."

The young woman who is pictured was seen talking to the man who was seen walking with Souvik earlier on.

Detectives believe that two people seen a short time later on the other opposite side of the Bridgewater Canal may have been Souvik and the pictured man.

Det Ch Insp Larkin added: "We are keeping an open mind but believe that both Souvik and this young man may have been simply trying to find a way back into the Warehouse Project.

"It is of course possible that Souvik was not with one of these men seen other side of the canal, but to help our investigation we urge this man to come forward.

"At the moment, I do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, but we continue to keep an open mind.

"While we cannot rule out any third party involvement, all of our enquiries suggest that Souvik's death was the result of a tragic accident.

"However, we are preparing a full report for the coroner, who will ultimately consider all of the evidence that is put to him when an inquest is heard."

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0161 856 4423 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.