Terming the death of Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra as an accident, a local court in Gajapati district summoned all accused persons.
Nearly about two years after the incident, Paralakhemundi SDJM Court summoned deceased Soumya Ranjan’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda, Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and Cook Manmath Kumbh directing them to appear before the court on April 27.
Receiving the application filed by deceased ACF’s father Abhiram Mohapatra, the Paralakhemundi SDJM issued the summon order. Based on evidence against Bidya Bharati, Sangarm Keshari and Manmath Kumbh, the court ordered all accused persons for appearance.
It is pertinent to mention, ACF Soumya had died on July 13, 2021 at his government residence located at Paralakhemundi town of Gajapati district under mysterious circumstances. His body got burnt to an extent of 90 per cent in the inferno, supposedly which was an accident.
The ACF’s father Abhiram had lodged an FIR alleging involvement of Soumya’s wife Bidyabharati Panda, erstwhile Gajapati Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha. The family had then suspected the role of former Forest Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha.
Abhiram had written letters to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and many others.
Based on the FIR, Paralakhemundi police had launched the probe, but did not arrest any of the key accused persons. Subsequently, the case was handed over to Crime Branch.
At last, the file was closed mentioning that it was an apparent case of fire mishap. The case is sub-judice in Orissa High Court, Cuttack.
