Patnagarh parcel bomb case: Accused Punjilal Meher gives testimony in court

In a significant development in the horrific Patnagarh parcel bomb case, which shook Odisha in February 2018, Punjilal Meher, the accused, has recorded his statement in court today. Meher, an English lecturer, is the only accused charged in connection with the case.

The accused, who is currently lodged in Bolangir Jail, was transported to the Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court in Patnagarh to record his statement.

Court Proceedings Underway:

The judicial proceedings continue in the Patnagarh ADJ Court, where statements of all witnesses have been previously recorded by the investigation agency. The authorities scheduled the escort of Meher to the court early this morning. His statement is expected to provide critical insights into the case.

Details of the Tragic Incident:

The devastating explosion occurred on 23rd February 2018, when a parcel intended as a wedding gift exploded, claiming the life of Soumya Shekhar Sahu, a newlywed engineer, along with his grandmother while his wife, Reema Rani Sahu, sustained severe injuries.

Motive Behind the Murder:

As per reports, Meher’s bombing was due to a personal vendetta against Soumya’s mother, Sanjukta, who was made principal of Jyoti Bikash College, replacing Meher. In a bid to take revenge on Sanjukta, Meher allegedly planned and executed the blast, intending to eliminate the entire family.

It is alleged that he was so blinded with his revenge that he himself prepared the parcel bomb and sent it through courier to Sahu’s family from Chhattisgarh’s Raipur. Police had earlier seized crackers, gun powder, a laptop, and a pen drive from the possession of Meher.

As per police reports, Meher studied for seven months and took the help of the internet and YouTube to prepare the bomb. 

The Patnagarh tragedy has left an indelible mark in the crime history of both Odisha and the nation, highlighting the vulnerabilities in security measures surrounding parcel deliveries.