Former Gajapati DFO Surrenders in ACF Death Case
Bhubaneswar/Paralakhemundi: Former Gajapati Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sangram Behera surrendered before the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court in Paralakhemundi through his counsel in connection with the sensational death case of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
The court rejected Behera’s bail plea, prompting him to approach the District and Sessions Court for relief.
Behera, who earlier served as Principal of the Forest Ranger College (Jan 2023–Apr 2026) and was recently appointed Director of the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), faces serious allegations.
The case dates back to July 12, 2021, when Mohapatra was found with severe burn injuries at his official residence in Paralakhemundi. He succumbed to his injuries the following day in Cuttack.
On July 14, 2021, Mohapatra’s family lodged a murder complaint naming Behera, Mohapatra’s wife Bidya Bharati, and cook Manmath Kumbha as accused.
Given the gravity of the allegations, the Odisha government transferred the probe to the Crime Branch on August 14, 2021.
The case continues to draw public attention due to its high-profile nature and the involvement of senior forest officials.
