Paralakhemundi: A three-member team of the Crime Branch interrogated Monday morning cook Manmath Kumbh in connection with the alleged murder of assistant conservator of forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, which took place here July 12 night. Along with the cook, four others were also grilled by a Crime Branch team headed by DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra interrogated. Among them were a couple of ACFs and two forest guards. The five were interrogated at the Paralakhemundi police station to find out how Soumya Ranjan got burnt.
The investigating officials are likely to interrogate deceased ACF’s wife Bidyabharati Panda who is a key accused in the alleged murder.
It is pertinent to mention, a clean chit was earlier given to Gajapati divisional forest officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera by erstwhile police superintendent stating that he has no link in the case.
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Soumya’s father Abhiram Mohapatra had written August 8 to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah seeking justice on behalf of the bereaved family.
Abhiram had complained against the tardy pace of investigation. He had alleged Soumya’s death to be a clear case of murder and sought justice. In his communique sent through e-mail and post, the father had demanded action against persons who are involved in the death of his son.
PNN