Paralakhemundi: In a major development in the death case of Paralakhemundi assistant conservator of forest (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a watchman Tuesday revealed that the District Collector of Gajapati had visited the official quarters of the divisional forest officer when the former died in a fire mishap on that day.
The watchman, Santosh Biswal, deployed at the main gate of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO)’s quarters, said the district Collector visited the DFO’s quarters at around 8 pm on the fateful day.
The Crime Branch team interrogated six persons in two phases, Tuesday. The team got some vital leads during the interrogation.
The district Collector had visited the DFO’s quarters when the deceased Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra sustained critical burn injuries in a fire mishap Biswal, whose statement was recorded for about four hours Tuesday by the Crime Branch team, said the Collector was even present when ACF Soumya Ranjan was rescued with critical burn injuries and shifted to a hospital.
After the shocking revelation by the watchman, Crime Branch DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra said, if needed, the allegations will be probed.
The Crime Branch team interrogated the watchman at the main gate of DFO’s quarters and a gardener Ajay Kumar Behera in the same quarters for around four hours.
“The entire investigation now focuses around the incident which happened on the fateful night. We are questioning everyone associated with the case about the circumstances on that night,” Mishra said.
PNN