In a latest development in the death of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forest, Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a lie detection test was carried out on the victim’s wife on Monday (September 20).
The Crime Branch of Odisha Police conducted the lie detection test on wife Bidyabharti Panda, where she was grilled in connection to the forest officer’s death. The lie detection test was conducted by the investigation team at the State Forensic Science Laboratory in Bhubaneswar.
According to sources, Bidyabharti was likely questioned about her state of relationship with husband Soumya and his family members, any marital dispute between the couple and the possible reasons behind Soumya’s burn injuries among others.
The Crime Branch had already conducted lie detection tests of the two others including DFO, Sangram Keshari Behera and the victim’s cook Manmath Kumbha.
Earlier on July 11, Soumya had sustained critical burn injuries at his official residence. Later, he succumbed to the injuries while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Cuttack.
Initially, the Paralakhemundi police was investigating the case and later the probe was handed over to the Crime Branch.
(Video Credits: Editor: Partha Narayan Das, Producer: Sanchita Mondal)