Paralakhemundi: A local court in Gajapati district summoned all accused persons in sensational death case of Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra that had been reportedly suppressed by the investigative agencies.

Nearly about two years after the incident, Paralakhemundi SDJM Court summoned deceased Soumya Ranjan's wife Bidya Bharati Panda, Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and Cook Manmath Kumbh directing them to appear before the court on April 27.

Receiving the application filed by deceased ACF's father Abhiram Mohapatra, the Paralakhemundi SDJM issued the summon order. Based on evidence against Bidya Bharati, Sangarm Keshari and Manmath Kumbh, the court ordered all accused persons for appearance.

Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra succumbed to burn injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Cuttack on July 13, 2021. He was admitted to the hospital with 95% burn injuries.

According to reports, the ACF was found in critical condition with burn injuries at his residence on July 12, 2021 in Paralakhmundi. The next day, he was declared dead. On July 14, family lodged a complaint against Gajapati DFO, ACF's wife and cook alleging murder. Considering gravity of the incident, the state government had handed over the probe to the Crime Branch on August 14.

On October 8, 2021, Crime Branch gave clean chit to DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbh, but booked his wife Bidya Bharati under sections 304-A (causing death by negligence) and 285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter) of IPC.

The agency termed the incident as an 'accidental death' making it clear that Sangram Keshari Behera and Manmath Kumbh had no role in it. Further, the Crime Branch said that the agency during the probe found no evidence of relation between the DFO and Bidya Bharati.