Paralakhemundi suicide row: Odisha CM orders CB probe

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 22:

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today ordered a Crime Branch probe into the mysterious deaths of Parala Maharaj’s personal assistant Sanjay Patra, former manager Anang Manjari Patra and her sister Bijaylaxmi Patra, informed DGP KB Singh.

Meanwhile, three suicide notes have been recovered from Anang Manjari Patra’s house, the DGP said.

“Four persons attempted suicide in Paralakhemundi yesterday. Three of them died and one is out of danger. He has been shifted to the Berhampur Medical College. His condition is stable. Once he gains consciousness, we will get details about the incident. Meanwhile, we have recovered three suicide notes and we are examining. We have sent forensic science team also,” Singh said.

“A 6-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be formed for the investigation. The team, comprising of two IICs, one SI and two ASIs, will be led by an Additional SP and the SIT will start probing the incident from tomorrow,” said Crime Branch Special DG BK Sharma.

Notably, the trio was found dead inside their house at Jangama Sahi here on Sunday afternoon. While Sanjay Patra was found hanging in the drawing room, Anang Manjari Patra and her sister Bijaylaxmi Patra were found dead in another room. Santosh Patra alias Tulu — brother of deceased— was rescued from the house in a critical condition and admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital.

Prima facie it appears that the trio has committed suicide. Anang Manjari and Bijaylaxmi committed suicide by consuming poison, police sources said.

If sources are to be believed, the former employees of Parala Maharaj Gopinath Gajapati Narayan Deb were under duress following much hue and cry over their alleged house arrest and financial misappropriation by them.

Notably, Parala Maharaj’s daughter Kalyani Gajapati and his brother Jagannath Gajapati Narayan Deb wrote to Gajapati district administration and Chief Minister seeking probe into the alleged misappropriation in property transactions relating to the royal family over the past 30 years.

On August 14, Parala Maharaja Suraksha Committee staged a demonstration here demanding treatment of the ailing king and probe into the wrongdoings in the financial transactions.

With the public outcry assuming violent proportions, manager Anang Manjari Patra and personal assistant Sanjay Patra and Santosh Patra tendered resignation.

On August 15, Maharaj was shifted to a private hospital in Chennai from Vizag following the advice of Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO).

Two days later, Sanjay and Santosh went to Chennai to meet Maharaj where they gave Rs 3 lakh and keys to Kalyani Gajapati, king’s daughter. On the following day, the duo had returned to the town.