The Crime Branch team investigating the sensational death of ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra on Friday questioned Gurandi police station OIC Mamata Panda.
The woman cop, whom the deceased ACF’s family accused of being involved in the case, was grilled for about three hours.
Panda, a distant relative of the deceased’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda, was allegedly present at the Paralakhemundi hospital where Soumya Ranjan was initially admitted after sustaining grievous burn injuries.
She was also accused of stopping an ambulance for a long time in which critically-injured Soumya was being rushed to a hospital in Cuttack.
Speaking to media persons following the questioning, Mamata said, “I have answered all questions asked to me.” However, she refused to answer and walked away when asked about the accusations of the family members of the deceased forest officer. Meanwhile, DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra of the Crime Branch which is investigating the case, said, “Today, we summoned Mamata Panda and questioned her about the case. She fully cooperated during the questioning.” “As per my investigation, Bidya Bharati Panda had gone to Mamata’s quarters to bring some items as she had to accompany her injured husband to Cuttack. As she is a distant relative of Bidya Bharati, she had gone to the hospital on humanitarian grounds,” Mishra said.
However, Soumya’s brother Ranjan Mohapatra said, “From the beginning, we are saying that Mamata Panda was involved and influenced the case.. Besides, like Bidya Bharati Panda, she too is a culprit.”“We have been living under severe stress for the past one and a half months following the death of my brother. If the police itself is involved in crime, who will give us justice,” he questioned.