Cuttack: The Odisha Crime Branch has termed the death of Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra as accidental.
“It is corroborated by the dying declaration of the victim which was recorded in presence of a magistrate and doctors. The ACF had said he caught fire after kerosene accidentally fell on him while he was burning papers,” Crime Branch ADG Sanjeeb Panda told the media on Friday.
The ADG said that the death was investigated as a murder case. There is no evidence to prove that it was a case of homicide or an attempt to commit suicide. “The incident took place in his official quarters. The statements, scientific evidence and polygraph test showed that neither Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera nor his cook Manmath Kambha was involved in the incident,” he said.
He also refuted the allegation that the DFO was in a relationship with ACF’s wife Bidyabharati Panda.
The ADG, however, said that Bidyabharati neither came to her husband’s rescue nor called for help while Soumya Ranjan was on fire. “The couple shared a bitter marital relationship. The Polygraph test report was found to be deceptive. She did not pour enough water to douse the flames nor sought help from others during the incident,” he said.
A case has been registered against her under Sections 285/304-A IPC (causing death due to negligence), Panda said, adding a notice has also been served on her.
On July 11, Soumya Ranjan was recused with over 90 per cent burn injuries from his quarters. He succumbed at a private hospital in Cuttack a day later.
