From blast to conviction, a timeline of Patnagarh parcel bomb incident that shook Odisha

More than seven years after a gift box turned a wedding celebration into a scene of unspeakable horror, the curtains finally fell on the Patnagarh parcel bomb case with the sentencing of Punjilal Meher to life imprisonment.

The verdict, delivered by the Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADJ) court in Patnagarh today (May 28), brings legal closure to a case that gripped Odisha.

While the sentencing of Meher, a former principal and English lecturer, made headlines, it is the twisted chronology of the events that continues to leave an indelible mark on the state's collective memory.

Here's how the case unfolded:

Timeline of the Patnagarh Parcel Bomb Case

February 23, 2018:

The tragedy struck on what should have been the happiest time in the lives of Soumyasekhar Sahu and his newly-wedded wife, Reema Rani.

Just days after their wedding, the couple received a parcel at their residence in Bholanathpada, Patnagarh. Assuming it to be a congratulatory gift, Soumyasekhar opened it, only for a powerful explosion to rip through the room.

The blast killed Soumyasekhar, a 26-year-old software engineer, and his 85-year-old grandmother, Jemamani Sahu. Reema suffered severe burns but survived.

April 25, 2018:

After a two-month-long investigation, the Odisha Crime Branch arrested Punjilal Meher, then a senior faculty member and former principal of Jyoti Vikas College.

The probe revealed that Meher had held a longstanding grudge against Soumyasekhar’s mother, Sanjukta Sahu, who had replaced him as principal. This professional slight, investigators believed, spiralled into a plot of revenge.

May 2018:

Further examination exposed chilling details of Meher's preparation. He had allegedly studied bomb-making tutorials on the internet, procured chemicals and fireworks, and even travelled to Raipur to post the explosive package under a fake identity to mislead authorities.

Forensic evidence, including explosive materials, wiring, and incriminating entries in a partially burnt diary, was recovered from his possession.

February, 2025:

Seven years after the bombing, the legal battle was still underway. The prolonged nature of the trial had become a subject of public frustration, with victims’ families repeatedly expressing anguish over the delay in justice.

April 3, 2025:

The ADJ court in Patnagarh concluded final hearings in the case. The prosecution presented 62 pieces of evidence, including digital and forensic material, while the defence argued that Meher had been framed.

May 14, 2025:

Following a directive from the Supreme Court urging swift resolution, the trial court announced that the verdict would be delivered on May 28.

May 28, 2025:

The court pronounced its final verdict, sentencing Punjilal Meher to life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 50,000 for two counts of murder and causing grievous injury with intent.

The Patnagarh parcel bomb case has left a lasting impact on Odisha’s judicial and social landscape. What began as an academic dispute within a college escalated into a premeditated act of terror, planned and executed by an educated man with no criminal history.