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Bhubaneswar: After Supreme Court granted bail to Raja Acharya, the prime convict in murder of Judo coach and Budhia Singh’s trainer Biranchi Das on Friday, Gitanjali Panda, wife of Biranchi alleged threats over her life and five other witnesses while demanding security cover for all.
“When we had clearly made our stance in the lower courts that he (Raja) had murdered my husband (Biranchi) in front of our eyes, I am just shocked to see that he could grab a bail from the Supreme Court,” Gitanjali told media persons today.
“Besides, security cover for the eyewitnesses and my family has been removed gradually over past two months. Nothing was discreetly said but I thought it might have been done over orders from the Government, so I felt nothing wrong, but now when I see he (Raja) has been granted bail and would soon be out of the jail, I feel very unsecure,” she said.
Panda said she would move for a special counsel to apply on the case again.
Meanwhile, Leslie Tripathy with whom Biranchi had a one sided love affair had also cited security concerns for her family. Alleging threat over lives, Leslie said she would demand security cover for her family through a written letter.
“Since he (Raja) has got bail I hope it should have some restrictions and if anything happens to my family then he would be responsible for that. Of course there is always a threat for myself, my family and my well wishers so I demand security for all of us,” she said.
“We are awaiting Supreme Court’s orders. We will check after we receive the bail papers and decide next course of action. There is no need for the concerned parties to be scared and whosoever feel threatened should approach the police and if need be we will provide police protection,” said Police Commissioner, YB Khurania.
It is to be noted that Biranchi Das was murdered on April 13, 2008 by Raja Acharya over his one sided love affair with Leslie. The same year, Badagada police where the murder case was registered arrested the accused from Goa. Later, in 2011, Bhubaneswar District and Sessions Court convicted Raja in the case and sentenced him to life imprisonment.
