: In a development in the death case of former Parlakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, non-bailable warrants (NBWs) have been issued against the deceased's wife Bidyabharati Panda, former Paralakhemundi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Behera and his cook Manmath Kumbha.
The Paralakhemundi SDJM court issued the NBWs while directing the trio to appear before it on July 7. Besides, the court also rejected the plea to dismiss the case against them.
In June, Bidyabharati and Behera had moved the Orissa High Court challenging the SDJM Court’s order asking the duo along with cook Kumbha to appear before the court. Bidyabharati and Behera had made the State Government and Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra’s father Abhiram respondents to their petitions.
Notably, the Paralakhemundi SDJM Court, while hearing the petition filed by the deceased ACF’s father Abhiram Mohapatra in April, had directed the trio to appear before the court. The court stated that their trial would be held pertaining to the murder and criminal conspiracy charges against them.
Notably, on the night of July 11 2022, ACF Soumya Ranjan had sustained serious burn injuries at his residential quarters. He was admitted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Brahmapur with 90-per cent burns. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Cuttac,k where he succumbed to the injuries on July 13.
Meanwhile, the BJP alleged that the then Forest and Environment Minister and current Finance Minister Bikram Arukha was involved in the case and efforts were made to sabotage the probe.
Though NBWs have been issued against the accused, police are not arresting them on the instructions of the State Government, alleged BJP State spokesperson Thakur Ranjit Das.