Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed a petition filed by Bidya Bharati Panda, wife of deceased Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, challenging the Orissa High Court’s order in connection with his death.
Bidya Bharati had approached the apex court after the Orissa High Court refused to quash the criminal proceedings against her in the case.
She had also sought protection from arrest during the pendency of her petitions. However, the High Court had rejected the plea.
The case pertains to the death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, who was posted as an ACF at Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district.
In July 2021, Mohapatra suffered severe burn injuries at his official residence in Paralakhemundi. He was subsequently shifted to Cuttack for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Following his death, his family alleged that he had been murdered and named his wife Bidya Bharati, then DFO Sangram Keshari Behera and cook Manmath Kumbha as accused.
The Odisha government subsequently handed over the investigation into the case to the Crime Branch.
The latest Supreme Court order came on a petition filed by Bidya Bharati challenging the High Court’s decision in the case.
