Paralakhemundi ACF caught fire while burning papers: Police

Bhubaneswar: Unraveling the mystery surrounding the death of Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, Odisha Crime Branch ADG Sanjeeb Panda today said the deceased caught fire while burning papers and subsequently succumbed to burn injuries.

The police official termed the death as an accident and gave clean chit to accused DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbh. However, the investigating agency found criminality on the part of the deceased’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda.

“The incident took place at Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra’s official residence. There was no evidence of homicidal or suicidal death. It was an accidental death and the same was corroborated from his dying declaration,” the ADG said.

“While he was burning papers by pouring kerosene, accidentally his legs slipped and kerosene got poured on him and he caught fire,” the official said referring the dying declaration.

“Bidya Bharati and her husband were not on good marital terms. She didn’t try enough to douse the fire. Neither enough water was not poured on him nor any external help was sought by her,” said the top cop.

She has been booked under Sections 304-A (causing death by negligence) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of IPC, he said.