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The heat over the mysterious death case of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) was felt in the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday when the local MLA expressed his displeasure over the twin probe conducted by the Gajapati police and the State Crime Branch.
BJP MLA from Paralakhemundi K Narayan Rao said the police and the State Crime Branch failed to unravel the truth behind the death of the young forest officer, Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, even more than one a half month after his demise under mysterious circumstances.
Alleging loopholes in the investigation, the legislator asked why the Gajapati Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera, deceased’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda and cook Manmath Kumbha, who have been booked under Section 302 of IPC were not interrogated at the police station.
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“Since the DFO, deceased’s wife and the cook were booked under Section 302, they should have been immediately arrested. They should also have been called to the police station and interrogated. Unfortunately, the police itself visited their houses and questioned them there. I don’t know if it was done on the direction of the government or pressure,” the legislator said.
Rao also alleged rampant smuggling of red sandalwoods from Gajapati and accused the government of shielding the DFO.
“Red sandalwoods are being smuggled rampantly from Gajapati to neighbouring states. If any local carpenter used red sandalwoods for making furniture, action is being taken against them immediately. How come the DFO is not unaware of smuggling of tonnes of the precious woods? It seems the State government is shielding the DFO,” the MLA alleged.
Stating that resentment is brewing among locals over these issues, Rao said the truth should be brought to light.
It is reminded here that Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra had sustained burn injuries at his quarters on July 11. He succumbed while being treated at a private hospital in Cuttack a day later.
