Baleshwar: Father of deceased Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra has demanded the arrest of his daughter-in-law Bidyabharati and cook Manmath Kumbha in connection with the death of his son.
Seeking a wider investigation in the case, Soumya Ranjan’s father, Abhiram Mahapatra, expressed satisfaction over the surrender of former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera, who was subsequently sent to jail nearly five years after the incident.
Reposing faith in the judicial process, Abhiram hoped justice would ultimately prevail. He urged investigators to arrest Bidyabharati and Manmath Kumbha, maintaining that both should be brought under the ambit of the probe.
He also demanded that the then Forest Minister be included in the investigation to ensure a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
While speaking to reporters, Abhiram alleged that Soumyaranjan was murdered for attempting to stop the illegal smuggling of sandalwood and said this angle should be investigated thoroughly.
No reaction has been received from Bidyabharati regarding the allegations so far.
Notably, former DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, who surrendered before the SDJM Court, Paralakhemundi on Monday after remaining out of custody for a prolonged period, was remanded to the Paralakhemundi jail after a court rejected his bail plea.
It may be recalled that ACF Soumyaranjan Mahapatra sustained severe burn injuries at his official residence in Gajapati district in July 2021 and later died during treatment.
