Odisha suspends IFS officer in 2021 death case of fellow forest official
The Odisha government on Sunday suspended an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer for his alleged involvement in the death of a former forest official in Gajapati district in 2021, according to an official statement.
The suspension order, issued on the directive of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, names Sangram Keshari Behera, currently posted as Director (commercial) at the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC). Behera had served as the divisional forest officer (DFO) of Paralakhemundi at the time of the incident, making him a senior official in the same district where the deceased worked.
The case pertains to the death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a 2018-batch officer of the Odisha Forest Service. Mohapatra was serving as Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) in Paralakhemundi when he sustained severe burn injuries at his home on July 11, 2021. Despite being rushed to a private hospital in Cuttack, he succumbed to his injuries on July 12. His wife was reported to be present in the house during the incident.
What began as a suspected accident took a different turn when Mohapatra's family raised allegations of murder. In a complaint filed on July 13, 2021, at the Paralakhemundi police station, the family accused Behera, the deceased's wife and the household cook of conspiring to kill him. The police registered a case, and the investigation was later handed over to the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police.
The family subsequently moved the local court in September 2022, claiming that the investigation had several lacunae. The trial court, upon considering the submissions, issued summonses to the accused. However, when Behera failed to comply with the summonses, the court issued non-bailable warrants against him.
Seeking to preempt any coercive action, Behera filed an anticipatory bail application before the High Court. The court, however, rejected his plea and directed him to appear before the trial court. In line with that direction, Behera surrendered at the Paralakhemundi court on July 27 this year. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The High Court's decision to reject anticipatory bail was a significant step in the legal process, as it cleared the way for Behera's surrender and judicial custody. His remand is currently in effect as the trial court prepares to proceed.
The suspension ordered on Sunday is the latest development in a case that has been moving through the legal system for over two years. The Odisha government's decision is based on the gravity of the allegations and the fact that Behera is currently in judicial custody. Administrative rules for government servants allow suspension in such circumstances to ensure that the officer does not influence the investigation or misuse official position.
It is important to note that suspension is not a punishment in itself but a preventive measure. Behera retains his right to a fair inquiry and a trial, and he is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise. The legal process will determine his culpability, if any.
The death of Mohapatra, a young officer, and the subsequent allegations have drawn attention to the working environment within the forest department. The case also highlights the often difficult journey for families seeking justice in cases involving officials from the same department.
As the trial progresses, more information is expected to emerge. The Odisha government has not released further details about the suspension beyond the official statement mentioning Behera's 'involvement' in the case.
