Paralakhemundi: A special investigation team (SIT) of the state Crime Branch formed to inquire into the alleged suicide of former Paralakhemundi palace manager Anangamanjari Patra and her three siblings, the house arrest of the Maharaja and the misappropriation of palatial properties, completed its first phase of investigation Sunday.
The team led by additional superintendent of police (ASP) RB Panigrahi stayed here for six days and probed the matter from various angles.
The SIT Sunday interrogated chief district medical officer Dr Purnachandra Dora on the health condition of the Maharaja before leaving for headquarters.
Two banners put on display outside the palace were seized by the SIT. While one of the banners carried some writings along with a photograph of the Maharaja’s brother’s wife Sailaja Singh, the other one had a photograph of the Trinity with a message for construction of a Jagannath temple.
The team members enquired about the persons who put up the banners. Later, they went inside the palace and stayed there for some time.
Before leaving, they finally met Gajapati superintendent of police (SP) Sushil Kumar Panigrahi, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Utkal Ranjan Das and IIC Babuli Nayak and had discussion with them on the issue.
The team Saturday had came to know that Maharaja Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deo had sold landed properties to two women in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
This emerged as officials verified documents at the sub-registrar and tehsil offices. The land including a mango orchard was sold for `3 lakh, it was learnt. The disclosure had generated a lot of speculation. PNN