Soumya Ranjan Death Case: Family Seeks Arrest of Wife, Cook After Ex-DFO Sent to Judicial Custody

Bhubaneswar: The investigation into the 2021 death of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra gathered fresh momentum on Tuesday, with the deceased officer’s family demanding the arrest of his wife and the household cook following the judicial remand of former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera.

Soumya Ranjan’s father, Abhiram Mahapatra, joined by BJP leader Thakur Ranjit Das, urged investigating agencies to take immediate action against Bidyabharati Panda, the late officer’s wife, and cook Manmath Kumbh. They alleged that both had a role in the incident and called for a thorough investigation to ensure that every individual connected to the case is brought under the scanner.

Abhiram Mahapatra also demanded that Sangram Keshari Behera be removed from government service, stating that strict administrative action should accompany the ongoing legal proceedings.

The latest demand comes a day after the former DFO was sent to judicial custody in connection with the case, which has remained under public scrutiny for several years.

The case stems from an incident on July 12, 2021, when Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra suffered extensive burn injuries at his official residence in Paralakhemundi. He was first admitted to a local hospital before being shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack, where he died on July 13.

The following day, July 14, Soumya Ranjan’s family filed a police complaint alleging that his death was a case of murder. The complaint named then DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, Bidyabharati Panda and cook Manmath Kumbh as accused.

Considering the seriousness of the allegations and the widespread attention the case received, the Odisha government transferred the investigation to the Crime Branch on August 14, 2021. The probe is continuing as investigators examine all aspects of the case.