Bhubaneswar: Almost a month after his grilling, the Crime Branch on Saturday conducted the lie detection test on Parlakemundi DFO Sangram Keshari Behera at Odisha State Forensic Laboratory (OSFL) here in connection with the death of assistant conservators of forest (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra on July 12.
Cook Manmath Kumbha also undwent the test.
Sources said that the state investigating agency began the lie detection test at 8 am and it lasted for around three hours during which at least 100 questions each was asked to the duo separately.
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On August 21, a four-member Crime Branch team led by DSP Gyana Ranjan Mishra had interrogated the DFO at the police guesthouse inside Paralakhemundi police station.
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While the DFO had earlier denied his complicity in the death of the ACF, a video clip surfaced on social media in which he was seen with the two doctors and tehsildar-cum-executive magistrate Achyutanand Jani at the district headquarters hospital (DHH). It is believed that the video was shot when the dying statement of Soumya was being recorded at the DHH.
The family members of Soumya had named the DFO in the FIR, accusing him and the ACF’s wife Bidyabharati Panda of having ‘pre-planned’ his murder. They also accused the DFO of having an illicit relationship with Bidyabharati.
Besides, they had pointed accusing fingers at the cook as he was present in the official residence of the ACF on the night of July 12 when he was rescued with critical burn injuries.
Also Read: Odisha ACF’s Death: Crime Branch Grills Gajapati DFO, New Video Clip Under Scanner
