With many startling revelations coming to fore in each passing day in connection with the Parlakhemundi Palace intrigue, Southern Range Police IG Amitabh Thakuron Thursday informed that the septuagenarian Maharaja Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deb had sought protection from the police.
“The Maharaja had written a letter requesting the then Gajapati SP to provide protection citing threat to his life. Based on the letter, the SP had provided round-the-clock armed security at the palace. The security men were on duty since last few months,” said Thakur.
However, the king’s dead former manager Anang Manjari Patra was working at the palace when the Maharaja had written the letter for police protection last year.
Now, the king, who is now at a Chennai hospital, can only clear the air on why he apprehended that he had a threat to his life, the IG said.
Meanwhile, the SIT during its investigation found no huge transactions either in the bank accounts of Anag Majari and her siblings or the Maharaja’s and also any land dealings of the palace in last eight to ten year, further twisting the case.
On the other hand, the suicide notes seized from the Anaga Manjari’s house named local MlA K Surya Rao and certain other local politicians cutting across party lines, a particular TV channel for mentally harassing her leading to her and her three siblings’ suicide.
Prior to the quadruple deaths, several political leaders and members of local citizens’ forum had alleged that the king was under house arrest and the locals were prevented from meeting him.
Meanwhile, after a gap of ten years, the Maharaja’s daughter Kalyani Gajapati arrived at Parlakhemundi to offer prayer to the palace deities for speedy recovery of the king.
The SIT is also likely to speak to the princess about the palace affairs.