Paralakhemundi ACF Death Case: CB Records Statement Of Victim's Family Members

Taking the investigation into the death case of the Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra's to the next level, the Odisha Crime

Branch on Wednesday recorded statements of the Mohapatra's family members who leveled serious allegations against Soumya's wife Bidybharati.

The family members of Soumya maintained that his wife Bidyabharati, the DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and the cook of the household were complicit in

the alleged murder of Soumya Ranjan, sources said after recording their statement.

As per reports, a four-member Crime Branch team led by DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra recorded statements of Soumya's family members at their residence in Khaira, Balasore; and the same team will grill the deceased officer's wife Bidyabharati tomorrow.

Reiterating his allegations, Abhiram Mohapatra, Soumya's father said, "Husband was burnt alive and the wife did not get any hint of this, this is very hard

to digest. My son never attempted suicide and I am sure Bidyabharati had extramarital affair with the DFO as a result of which my son was murdered."

Similarly, Soumya's mother Tulasi Mohapatra said that she does not think that her son was arsoned inside the house. He must have murdered somewhere else and his body was lighted up later in his house to mislead the entire crime.

Earlier, the Crime Branch had said that the Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and the deceased officer’s wife Bidyabharati Panda would be subjected to a lie detection test if required.

The Director-General (DG) of Police, Abhay had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the ACF death case following the demands for a CBI probe made by different quarters.