PEO Death Case: Demolition Of Rangasala In Odisha’s Jajpur Begins

Jajpur: Amid protests from locals, demolition of ‘Rangasala’, the guest house where Haridaspur panchayat executive officer (PEO) Smitarani Biswal was found dead under mysterious circumstances, began on Friday.

The drive began with the demolition of the guest house gate in presence of four magistrates and a platoon of police force. Dharmasala IIC was also present.

On October 23, the district administration had initiated the process for demolition of the guest house after the allegation that the building had been constructed on government land was found to be true.

Rupesh Bhadra, who was arrested on charges of abetting suicide of Smitarani, owns the guest house. The PEO was found hanging inside a room there on October 16. Rupesh is husband of Haridaspur sarpanch Madhusmita Bhadra, who opposed the demolition drive.

The sarpanch said she was not given adequate time and was served the notice the day before. She sought time and said would demolish it herself.

Jajpur Collector Ranjan Kumar Das had told the media that the guest house was constructed illegally on a patch of government land and it would be demolished soon after the police investigation. “The eviction order has been already issued in this regard, ” he added.

Also read: PEO Death Case: Why Demolish ‘Rangasala’ In Odisha’s Jajpur In Haste?

On the direction of the Executive Magistrate, Dharmasala, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped around the building. It was also sealed and electricity connection disconnected.