Balasore: The father of deceased Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumyaranjan Mahapatra has demanded the arrest of his daughter-in-law Bidyabharati and cook Manmath Kumbha in connection with the death of his son, while also seeking a wider investigation into the case.
Speaking to reporters, Soumyaranjan’s father, Abhiram Mahapatra, expressed partial satisfaction over the imprisonment of former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera, nearly five years after the incident. He said he had faith in the judicial process and hoped justice would ultimately prevail.
Abhiram Mahapatra urged investigators to arrest Bidyabharati and Manmath Kumbha, alleging that both should be brought under the ambit of the probe. He also demanded that the then Forest Minister be included in the investigation to ensure a comprehensive inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
Reiterating his long-standing allegation, he claimed that Soumyaranjan was murdered for attempting to stop the illegal smuggling of sandalwood and called for investigators to examine that angle thoroughly.
Meanwhile, no reaction has been received from Bidyabharati regarding the allegations.
Former DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, who surrendered before the SDJM Court, Paralakhemundi on Monday after remaining out of custody for a prolonged period, was remanded to the Paralakhemundi jail after a court rejected his bail plea.
The death of ACF Soumyaranjan Mahapatra, who sustained severe burn injuries at his official residence in Gajapati district in July 2021 and later died during treatment, remains one of Odisha’s most closely watched cases, with fresh developments continuing to revive public attention.
