ACF Soumya death case: BJP suspects Finance Minister Bikram Arukha's role behind 'conspiracy'

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday brought serious allegations against former Forest Minister and present Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha in connection with the death case of Parlakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Thakur Ranjit Das questioned why the police are yet to arrest the accused despite issuance of the non-bailable warrants.

“Is Bikram Keshari Arukha behind this conspiracy? He has just been promoted to Finance Minister from Speaker. This incidence needs to be probed thoroughly and justice should be served,” Das said.

Earlier on Saturday, a non-bailable warrant (NBW) was issued by the Paralakhemundi SDJM court against the deceased's wife Bidyabharati Panda, former Paralakhemundi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha.

The trio has been directed to appear before the court on July 7.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the Paralakhemundi SDJM court, while hearing the petition filed by the deceased ACF’s father Abhiram Mohapatra in April, had directed the trio to appear before the court. The court stated that their trial would be held pertaining to murder and criminal conspiracy charges against them.

However, Bidyabharati and Behera had moved the Orissa High Court challenging SDJM court’s order in June.