'Berhampur Co-Op Society Secy Was Murdered, It Wasn't Electric Short Circuit'

Berhampur: Days after police recovered the half-burnt body of K Jagannath Patro, Secretary of Cooperative Society in Lochapada under Sadar Police limits in Berhampur, from inside the office, his wife lodged a complaint alleging that it was not an accident rather a pre-planned murder.

While initial reports suggested that the victim died due to electrocution, Sadar Police has now registered a case under IPC Section 302 and initiated a serious investigation into the incident based on the complaint lodged by Patro's wife.

If no office files were gutted in the mishap, how is it possible that a man was charred to death? alleged the complainant.

"Jagannath's body was completely charred. The intensity of electric shock inside an office is never so much. We think he has been murdered," said a relative.

On the other hand, Berhampur ASP Prabhat Routray said, "We haven't received the post mortem reports yet. Prima facie investigation suggests that Patro died due to electric short circuit. But the exact cause of death can only be ascertained after all the reports are out."