Deceased Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra’s father Abhiram Mohapatra on Monday met DGP Abhay and submitted a memorandum demanding a thorough probe into his son’s death.
Abhiram demanded lie-detection tests of Paralakhemundi DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, Soumya's wife Bidyabharati Panda and Soumya’s cook, who are alleged to be involved in the “murder” of the officer.
Abhiram also alleged involvement of a Police Inspector of Gajapati district, a relative of Bidyabharati, in the incident. “Police Inspector Mamata Rani Panda had detained the ambulance carrying my son to a hospital for over an hour. Moreover, why was my son shifted to far-off Cuttack when medical facilities were available at Brahmapur? I suspect the role of my daughter-in-law, the DFO and the cook in the murder along with Mamata Rani Panda, who should also be investigated.
I demand the DFO, Bidya Bharati and the cook undergo polygraph tests. The DGP had assured us to ensure justice,” Abhiram said. Later, Abhiram also met the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and submitted a memorandum demanding suspension of DFO Sangram Behera and the cook, who is a Forest Guard. Meanwhile, Soumya’s mother claimed that her son and daughter-in-law had an agreement before marriage that they would not keep any physical relationship till one year after wedding.
She said Soumya had once told her that he had a fight with Bidyabharati one night, following which she broke her bangles and left the quarters at night. Soumya searched for her frantically and finally traced her to the quarters of the DFO, she added. “Although Bidya talked to me over phone, she did not allow Soumya to speak to any of my family members,” she alleged. Meanwhile, a team from the Paralakhemundi police station went to the Khaira police station in Baleswar district on Monday in connection with the murder probe. The team recorded the statements of Soumya’s family members, who belong to the locality. "A six-member team has reached here. We will provide all kinds of assistance they need," said Khaira Police IIC Sriballava Sahoo. Later, the team met the family of Bidyabharati at Udala in Mayurbhanj district for questioning.