Paralakhemundi: Odisha Police DG Abhay has directed Crime Branch to investigate Paralakhemundi assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra’s death case, a top police official said Saturday.
According to Crime Branch ADG Sanjeev Panda, a three-member investigating team has been constituted which will be led by a DSP level official.
The Crime Branch was earlier assisting local police in the probe, Panda further said.
It is pertinent to mention, Soumya’s father Abhiram Mohapatra had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah seeking justice August 8.
Abhiram had complained against the tardy pace of investigation. The death of his son had taken place July 12, Abhiram stated in his letter sent through e-mail and post. He had alleged Soumya’s death to be a case of murder and sought action against persons who are involved.
“Paralakhemundi police have been beating around the bush for last so many days. An unfair and biased probe which is underway has made the incident murkier,” he had written.
Also read: Odisha registers 1,132 new Covid-19 cases; 66 more fatalities
Abhiram had also claimed that the incident was a well-planned murder in which Soumya’s wife Bidyabharati Panda, Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and Gurandi police station OIC Mamata Panda including the cook who was also present at ACF’s government residence on the intervening night were involved.
The conspiracy to eliminate his son Soumya was hatched a month before, he had added.
“The investigating police team says that the deceased ACF’s residence was the crime spot. However, there was no trace of fire when his family members visited the house following the incident,” Abhiram had mentioned.
“Moreover, the DFO who is also a suspect in the case has not been transferred elsewhere, thereby influencing the probe,” he had written in his letter.
Besides, Abhiram had threatened self-immolation in front of Naveen Niwas in case justice was denied to him.
PNN
