Odisha ACF’s Death: Crime Branch To Grill Forest Officer’s Wife Bidyabharati Tomorrow

Cuttack: After interrogating 14 persons including Gajapati DFO during its investigation into the death of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, the Crime Branch is all set to grill the deceased ACF’s wife Bidyabharati Panda on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Crime Branch ADG Sanjeeb Panda said in the first phase of the investigation, the Crime Branch team has interrogated 14 witnesses including the DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and conducted a thorough analysis of all relevant documents, the statement of the witnesses recorded by the Gajapati police and the investigation report of the Parlakhemundi Town Police.

“In the second phase of the investigation, the team will record the statement of family members of the ACF at their house at Begunia village in Khaira block of Balasore district and Bidyabharati at her house at Goudagan village in Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday. To assist the Crime Branch in the interrogation of Bidyabharati, two woman officers of the Crime Against Women Wing will remain present,” the ADG said.

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He also said the Crime Branch has prepared a list of questions to interrogate Bidyabharati.

It may be mentioned that the IIC of Paralakhemundi Police Station, who was the Investigating Officer (IO) in the case, had interrogated Bidyabharati on July 19 and August 2. Besides, he had also interrogated the family members of the ACF.

The state investigating agency had begun a fresh probe into the case on August 14 after the local police failed to make any headway.

Also Read: Odisha ACF’s Death: Crime Branch Braces For Grilling Forest Officer’s Wife Bidyabharati & Ex-PS To Minister