Mahanga double murder: Show-cause notice issued to IO over delayed investigation

The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Salipur on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the investigating officer (IO) of the sensational Mahanga double murder case that saw brutal murder of BJP leader Kulamani Baral and his associate.

Taking cognizance of the inordinate delay in investigation, the court issued the show-cause notice and directed to furnish a status report on the progress of the probe by June 20.

Earlier, a JMFC court had ordered fresh probe into the murder of Baral and his associate Dibyasingha Baral after Ramakanta Baral, the son of the slain BJP leader had moved the court challenging the dropping of the name of Minister Pratap Jena from the charge sheet.

The Congress and the BJP have been levelling more serious allegations against the ruling Biju Janata Dal in connection with the case.

The prime accused in the murder, Prafulla Biswal, who was found dead under mysterious circumstances, was actually eliminated by the local leaders so that he did not spell out the truth, the Congress had alleged earlier.

The complainant (Ramakanta Baral) had lodged an FIR against 13 persons on January 3, 2021 at the Mahanga PS under Arms Act. Thereafter, the charge sheet was filed against 12 accused persons except Pratap Jena against which the protest petition was filed by Baral.