Paralakhemundi (SunstarTV Bureau): The Paralakhemundi ACF Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra death case took a new turn after Odisha Crime Branch ADG Sanjeeb Panda yesterday said that the deceased’s wife Bidya Bharati Panda didn’t try enough to save her husband while he was on fire.
“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.
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.
Worth mentioning, Sections 304-A and 285 are bailable offences and the accused may serve a maximum jail term of two years, if convicted.
“If it was an accident then under what circumstances it took place? If it was an accident then how come Bidya Bharati was negligent in not dousing the fire? This is all eyewash. The Crime Branch is trying to hoodwink people,” said Partha Sarathi Nayak, Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra family’s lawyer.
The deceased’s family members had recently knocked on the doors of Orissa High Court seeking CBI probe alleging tardy progress of investigation. Besides, they had expressed their displeasure over the way the police was investigating the case.
