Bhubaneswar, August 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered the suspension of Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sangram Kesari Behera. Behera is currently serving as the Director (Commercial) at OFDC.
Previously, Behera held the position of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) in Gajapati. He faced allegations in connection with the death of former Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumyaranjan Mahapatra in 2021. Behera was placed in judicial custody due to this case. Recently, he surrendered in the court regarding the death of ACF Mahapatra, but his bail application was rejected.
Government lawyer Rajesh Kumar stated, “The case revolves around the murder of an ACF in 2021, which garnered significant media attention. Evidence later emerged suggesting that both Behera and the ACF’s wife were involved, although initial investigations found no proof.”
Kumar further explained, “After a protest petition was filed by lawyer Rajat Patra, it became clear that there was some evidence in the case. Behera attempted to seek relief from both the High Court and the Supreme Court, but his Special Leave Petition was dismissed. The High Court directed him to appear before the SDJM court, where his bail was denied.”
Lawyer Rajat Kumar Patra added, “An FIR was filed against Behera in the lower court under sections 302 and 120B (murder and criminal conspiracy). A non-bailable warrant was issued against him, which remains pending.”
Patra noted, “To quash the non-bailable warrant, Behera approached the Supreme Court and High Court. The latest order from the High Court mandates that he must surrender first. The session court has rejected his petition.”
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