The Odisha government has suspended Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Sangram Keshari Behera over his alleged involvement in the 2021 death of Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered the suspension of Behera, who is currently serving as Director (Commercial) at the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC).
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Suspension Linked to 2021 Death Case
Behera was serving as the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Paralakhemundi when the incident took place in July 2021.
He has been named as an accused in the case relating to the death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a 2018-batch Odisha Forest Service officer.
ACF Succumbed to Burn Injuries
Mohapatra suffered severe burn injuries at his residence on July 11, 2021, while his wife was also present in the house.
He was shifted to a private hospital in Cuttack, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
Family Alleged Murder
Following Mohapatra’s death, his family alleged that he had been murdered.
They accused the then DFO Sangram Keshari Behera, Mohapatra’s wife and the household cook of involvement in the incident.
The case has remained one of Odisha’s most closely watched investigations involving the forest department.
Government Takes Administrative Action
The suspension follows the state government’s decision to initiate administrative action against Behera while investigations into the case continue.
The officer was serving as Director (Commercial) in the Odisha Forest Development Corporation at the time of the suspension.
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