In the notorious Patnagarh parcel bomb case, Punjilal Meher, the prime accused, recorded his statement in court on Thursday.
The incident, which shocked Odisha in February 2018, involved a parcel bomb intended as a wedding gift that tragically claimed the lives of Soumya Shekhar Sahu, a newlywed engineer, and his grandmother while severely injuring his wife, Reema Rani Sahu.
Punjilal Meher, an English lecturer and the sole accused in the case, is currently held in Bolangir Jail. He was transported to the Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court in Patnagarh early this morning to provide his testimony.
Court Proceedings and Investigations
The court proceedings continue in the Patnagarh ADJ Court, with all witness statements having been previously recorded by the investigation agency. Meher’s statement is expected to shed light on the intricate details of the case.
The Tragic Explosion
The devastating explosion occurred on 23rd February 2018 when a parcel posing as a wedding gift detonated. The incident resulted in the death of Soumya Shekhar Sahu and his grandmother, with Soumya’s wife suffering severe injuries.
Motive Behind the Attack
Investigations revealed that Meher harbored a personal vendetta against Soumya’s mother, Sanjukta, who replaced him as the principal of Jyoti Bikash College. Seeking revenge, Meher allegedly planned and executed the bomb attack, intending to eliminate the entire family. Police recovered crackers, gunpowder, a laptop, and a pen drive from Meher’s possession. Reports indicate that Meher spent seven months studying and utilizing the internet and YouTube to prepare the bomb.
The Patnagarh parcel bomb case continues to leave a significant mark on the crime history of Odisha and the nation, highlighting vulnerabilities in parcel delivery security measures.
