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Paralakhemundi: The death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) at Paralakhemundi, in a mysterious fire is getting murkier by the day with fresh twists adding to the case every day.
A day after the family members of the deceased officer accused Soumya's wife and forest officials of killing the ACF over some malicious intention, the Paralakhemundi police have registered a case of murder against three, including Soumya's widow Bidya Bharati Panda, DFO Sangram Behera and the cook who was present at home on the fateful day.
Following registration of the offence under IPC Sections 302 and 120 (b), the police have launched an investigation.
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Father of the deceased officer had earlier alleged that his daughter-in-law Bidya Bharati (Soumya’s wife) had done Soumya to death with the help of the DFO. He had also lodged a complaint with police over e-mail.
On the other hand, both Bidya Bharati and the DFO had refuted the allegations levelled against them.
“There was no feud between myself and my late husband. We had a very good relationship. No official had any role to play in his death,” Bidya Bharati had claimed while reacting to the allegation of Soumya’s family members.
Similarly, DFO Sangram Behera had also rubbished the allegations made by the ACF’s family. Behera said that all charges levelled against him were baseless.
“The person who has made such allegation is mentally disturbed now. I have never talked to Soumya’s wife over phone, neither have I ever visited his house or taken food. I have faith in the police investigation. I will fully cooperate with the probe. Everything will be clear after investigation,” Behera said.
Soumya’s elder brother Ranjan Mohapatra on Wednesday had directly accused Bidya Bharati of being a conspirator in the incident.
Ranjan had alleged that Bidya Bharati had hatched a conspiracy with the help of the DFO and other officials to eliminate Soumya.
On Sunday night, ACF Soumya Ranjan had sustained serious burn injuries while his wife was at home. He was admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur with 90 per cent burns. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack where he succumbed to the injuries during treatment on Tuesday.
Family of the deceased officer had alleged that three persons, including Soumya’s wife, were present inside the house on the fateful day. How only Soumya sustained burns while others were safe, the kins of the ACF wondered while seeking answers.
