Kataka: The Orissa High Court has rejected a plea by Bidyabharati Mohapatra, wife of deceased Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, seeking exemption from personal appearance in the trial court in connection with his mysterious death.
The High Court has directed Bidyabharati to appear before the trial court by October 1, observing that her personal appearance cannot be dispensed with at this stage given the nature of the case and seriousness of the allegations.
Soumya Ranjan, who was posted as an ACF at Paralakhemundi, died under mysterious circumstances. A case was initially registered at Paralakhemundi police station against Bidyabharati and cook Manmath Kumbha under Sections 302 and 120-B of the IPC. However, after investigation, police filed a chargesheet against Bidyabharati under Section 304-A of the IPC.
The complainant subsequently filed a protest petition. Following an inquiry under Section 202 of the CrPC, the Magistrate directed that the case proceed against Bidyabharati and the other accused under Sections 302 and 120-B of the IPC. Bidyabharati challenged the order before the High Court, which on July 3, 2025, upheld the lower court’s decision.
During the latest hearing, Bidyabharati’s counsel submitted that she is currently employed in a contractual government job at Nuagaon in Mayurbhanj district and that travelling more than 524 km to Paralakhemundi for repeated court appearances was difficult.
The opposite party, however, contended that she had been deliberately avoiding the court proceedings and that the trial had been delayed because of her absence. Taking note of the submissions, the High Court declined to exempt her from personal appearance at this stage, while leaving it open for her to seek exemption later if necessary.
In view of her apprehension of arrest, the High Court directed Bidyabharati to apply for bail when she appears before the trial court. If the trial court rejects her bail plea, she may approach the Sessions Court on the same day, which has been requested to consider and decide the application, as far as possible, on the same day.
