Bidyabharati Panda, wife of deceased Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra, surrendered before the SDJM Court in Parlakhemundi on Monday in connection with his mysterious death case.
Her surrender comes after the Orissa High Court rejected her bail plea and refused to grant her interim protection. The High Court had also directed her to appear before the SDJM Court in person.
Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra died after suffering severe burn injuries at his government residence in Parlakhemundi on July 12, 2021. He was rushed for treatment but succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Bidyabharati has been facing serious allegations, including murder and criminal conspiracy, in connection with her husband’s death.
A few days ago, she had suffered a setback after the High Court rejected her petition seeking exemption from personal appearance before the trial court. She had cited the distance from her workplace and professional difficulties as reasons for seeking exemption, stating that she lived around 524 kilometres away from Parlakhemundi.
However, considering the seriousness of the allegations, the High Court held that her personal appearance before the court was necessary and upheld the earlier order of the Parlakhemundi SDJM Court.
The High Court had directed her to appear before the court by October 1 or earlier. It had also instructed the Sessions Court to hear her bail application on the same day if she appeared and sought bail.
Meanwhile, former Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbh have been arrested by the police in connection with the case.
The case relates to the mysterious death of the young forest officer, which has remained a major talking point in Odisha since 2021.