ACF Soumyaranjan death: Wife, DFO, cook to depose before SDJM court on April 27
The SDJM court here summoned wife Bidya Bharati Panda, DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, and cook Manmath Kumbha in connection with the case nearly two years after the mysterious death of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
user1
Paralakhemundi: The SDJM court here summoned wife Bidya Bharati Panda, DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, and cook Manmath Kumbha in connection with the case nearly two years after the mysterious death of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
The three have been summoned to appear before the Paralakhemundi SDJM court in Odisha's Gajapati district on April 27.
The court summoned the three after hearing a petition filed by deceased ACF's father, Abhiram Mohapatra. According to sources, they will stand trial on murder and criminal conspiracy charges.
After reviewing the petition, recorded statements, and other documents, the court determined that the allegations of murder and criminal conspiracy merited a trial. The court issued summons and ordered the three to appear before it on this basis.
It should be noted that ACF Soumya Ranjan suffered serious burn injuries on the night of July 11, 2021, while his wife was at home. He was admitted to Berhampur's MKCG Medical College and Hospital with 90% burns. He was later transferred to a private hospital in Cuttack, where he died from his injuries on July 13.
On the basis of the family members' allegations, Paralakhemundi police filed a murder case against the ACF's widow Panda, DFO Behera, and cook Kumbha under IPC Sections 302 and 120. (b). The Crime Branch then investigated the case.
On October 8, 2021, the Crime Branch cleared DFO Behera and cook Manmath Kumbh, but charged his wife Bidya Bharati under sections 304-A (causing death by negligence) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of the Indian Penal Code.
It called the incident a "accidental death," emphasizing that Sangram Keshari Behera and Manmath Kumbh had no involvement. During the investigation, the Crime Branch reportedly found no evidence of a relationship between the DFO and Bidya Bharati.
