‘Killing’ wife, daughter with cobra: Odisha PCCF orders inquiry, directs DFO to submit report

The Odisha Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Sushant Nanda on Friday ordered an inquiry into the snakebite death case where a man allegedly used a cobra to kill his wife and two-year-old daughter in Ganjam’s Kabisuryanagar.

The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) has also been directed to submit a report on how a cobra ended up with the accused and whether the reptile was killed thereafter.

Police investigation revealed that K. Ganesh, a migrant worker, of Adheibara village under Kabisuryanagar police limits allegedly killed his wife K. Basanti Patra, and his two-year-old daughter suspecting his wife was having an extramarital affair.

He (Ganesh) then allegedly hatched a plan to eliminate his wife and their daughter. As per his plan, he reportedly bought a cobra (Kolathia Naga) from a snake charmer on October 7 and released it into the room where his wife and daughter were sleeping on the same night.

The victims were reportedly bitten by the snake. Later, they were rushed to Hinjlicut government hospital where they were declared brought dead.

While the police initially registered a snake bite death case, later it turned out to be a murder case after the investigation revealed that it was Ganesh who used the snake to kill his wife and daughter. Ganesh was arrested on November 23 (Thursday).

However, as a cobra was involved in the murder, the Forest Department took cognisance of the case and ordered an inquiry.

Speaking about the inquiry, PCCF, Sushant Nanda said, “Concerned officials have been directed to investigate the source of the snake; who all are involved in the supply of this snake and whether the snake is alive or dead. Everybody involved in the snake business will be prosecuted under the law.”

Later in the day, the person who provided the cobra to the accused, was apprehended by the police. His statement was also recorded at the JMFC court at Kabisuryanagar

Venomous snakes such as King Cobra, Monocled Cobra, Spectacled Cobra and Russell’s Viper are protected by law under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This classification primarily implies that the species enlisted will attract the highest safeguarding and maximum penalties. The maximum penalty is 3 to 7 years of incarceration or a fine of Rs. 10,000.