ACF Soumya death case: NBW issued against 3 accused including deceased's wife Bidyabharati 

In a major development in the death case of former Parlakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a non-bailable warrant (NBW) has been issued against the deceased's wife Bidyabharati Panda, former Paralakhemundi Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha.

According to sources, the Paralakhemundi SDJM court has issued the NBW while directing the trio to appear before it on July 7.

In June, Bidyabharati and Behera had moved the Orissa High Court challenging SDJM court’s order asking the duo along with cook Manmath Kumbha to appear before the court.

Bidyabharati and Behera had made the Odisha government and Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra’s father Abhiram respondents to their petitions, sources informed.

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.

Notably, on July 11 night in 2022, ACF Soumya Ranjan had sustained serious burn injuries at her quarters. He was admitted to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur with 90 per cent burns. Later, he was shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack where he succumbed to the injuries during treatment on July 13. 

A day after the incident, on the basis of the family members' allegations, Paralakhemundi police had registered a case of murder against the ACF’s widow Panda, DFO Behera and cook Kumbha under IPC Sections 302 and 120 (b). in western sky till June 15