New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Bidya Bharati Panda, challenging Orissa High Court’s order in connection with the death of her husband Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
Bidya Bharati had approached the Supreme Court after the High Court refused to quash the criminal proceedings against her in connection with Soumya Ranjan’s death in 2021.
She had also sought protection from arrest while her petitions were being heard, a plea that was also rejected by the High Court.
The case relates to the death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra when he was posted as ACF at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district. In July 2021, he suffered severe burn injuries at his official residence and later died while undergoing treatment in Kataka.
Following his death, Soumya Ranjan’s family alleged that he had been murdered and named his wife Bidya Bharati, then DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha as accused. The Odisha government subsequently handed over the investigation to the Crime Branch.