In a major development in the high-profile and controversial death case of Paralakhemundi Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) late Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra, the main accused and his wife, Bidyabharati Panda, surrendered before the SDJM Court in Paralakhemundi today.
Taking note of the gravity of the case, the court rejected her regular bail application and remanded her to 13 days of judicial custody. Following the court order, she was taken to the Paralakhemundi Sub-Jail under tight police security.
Acting in compliance with the High Court’s directive to surrender by November 2, Bidyabharati arrived at the SDJM court along with her legal counsel at around 11:00 AM. With previous pre-arrest bail pleas rejected by both the High Court and the Supreme Court, surrender remained her only option.
Background of the Case
The mysterious death of ACF Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra in 2021 triggered widespread outrage across Odisha. Initially investigated by local police and later transferred to the Crime Branch, the investigating agencies had previously given a clean chit to the accused. Unsatisfied with the outcome, Soumya Ranjan’s father, Abhiram Mahapatra, moved the Paralakhemundi SDJM court in 2023 seeking justice.
Following court proceedings, co-accused former DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha had surrendered earlier and were remanded to custody. With Bidyabharati’s remand today, all three accused named in the case are currently incarcerated in the same jail.
Legal Responses
Speaking to reporters after the court order, Bidyabharati’s defense counsel stated, “Bidyabharati is a widow and completely innocent. We will very soon challenge the SDJM court’s order rejecting her bail in a higher court.”
Conversely, the legal counsel representing Abhiram Mahapatra noted that after exhausting all legal loopholes to evade arrest, the primary accused was finally forced to surrender, adding that the legal battle would continue until the victim’s family gets full justice.
