Paralakhemundi: Former Gajapati Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Kesari Behera surrendered before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court in Paralakhemundi on Monday through his counsel in connection with the alleged death of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumyaranjan Mahapatra.
Sources said Behera appeared before the court after an arrest warrant had been issued against him. Legal proceedings in the case, including consideration of his bail plea, are continuing.
Earlier, on July 14, 2026, the Odisha High Court had granted Behera an additional two weeks to surrender before the trial court. The High Court had also directed the lower court to consider his bail application on the day of his surrender.
Following his appearance before the SDJM Court, Behera sought bail. However, after the magistrate’s court rejected his plea, he moved the District and Sessions Judge’s court seeking bail, according to sources.
Behera served as the Gajapati DFO during the period relevant to the case. After his tenure in the district, he was posted as Principal of the Forest Ranger College in Anugul from January 2023 to April 2026. In May this year, he was appointed Director of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC).
The death of ACF Soumyaranjan Mahapatra, who was posted in Gajapati district in 2021, had triggered widespread public attention across Odisha. The case has since remained under judicial scrutiny, with legal proceedings continuing at various stages.
