Was Odisha ACF Sedated? Know What The Postmortem Report Has To Say

Cuttack: The postmortem report of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra revealed that he had sustained 95 per cent of burn injuries and was not under the influence of liquor or any sedatives.

There was the smell of kerosene in his body and hair. It further stated that the injuries could have been due to the application of dry heat in the form of fire and flame.

There was no food in his stomach, it added.

The autopsy of the forest officer was conducted at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack within six hours of his death.

Soumya had succumbed to burns at a private hospital in Cuttack on July 13 after being rescued from his official quarters at Paralakhemundi in a half-charred state. His wife Bidyabharati had told the media that the incident took place while she was readying the dinner table.

The postmortem report was provided to a team of Paralakhemundi Police on Monday. The ACF’s family members have also collected the report from Markat Nagar police station. His elder brother said that they will take the next step after consulting their lawyer.

Family members of Soumya had earlier alleged that his death was a ‘pre-planned’ murder and suspected that he was sedated before being burnt alive. Bidyabharati, Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and a cook in the forest officer were booked under Sections 302 and 120 (b) on the basis of a complaint lodged by them.

“If police sincerely investigate the case, they will be able to trace the accused. If they fail, we will request the Chief Minister for his urgent intervention. We have full faith in him,” Soumya’s brother said.

Paralakhemundi police, which is being assisted by the Crime Branch, are yet to make any breakthrough in the case despite having grilled the family members of the deceased and his wife, his staff and the DFO.

After the questioning and analysis of call details, Gajapati SP Tapan Kumar Patnaik had ruled out the involvement of Sangram Keshari and the cook in the death.