Kaptipada: A team of Odisha Crime Branch probing into the alleged murder of Paralakhemundi assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra quizzed the deceased’s wife Bidyabharati Panda Thursday.
According to an official, the four-member team led by its DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra reached the ancestral house of Bidyabharati at Kaptipada area of Mayurbhanj district in the morning to quiz her in this connection.
The team members questioned Bidyabharati on a series of issues pertaining to Soumya’s alleged murder, including her post-marriage relationship with the ACF and his family members.
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Besides, the investigating team also cross-checked the circumstantial evidence which was collected from the government residence at Paralakhemundi town of Gajapati district, where Soumya allegedly sustained critical burn injuries July 12 night.
After the case was handed over to the Crime Branch, the probing agency has so far questioned 14 persons including the key accused Gajapati DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, Gurandi IIC Mamata Panda, cook Manmath Kumbha and a gardener of the DFO.
The Crime Branch officials had Wednesday questioned Soumya’s father Abhiram Mohapatra, mother Tulasi, maternal-uncle Sitikantha Panda and other members of the family in connection with the case.
Besides, the team had recorded statements while questioning the family members on Soumya’s previous phone calls and Bidyabharati Panda’s alleged relationship with Gajapati DFO, the ACF’s father informed.
PNN