Odisha govt suspends IFS officer over 'involvement' in forest official death case

The Odisha government suspended an Indian Forest Service officer, Sangram Keshari Behera, on Sunday (August 2, 2026) over his alleged involvement in the mysterious death of a forest officer in Gajapati district in 2021, an official statement disclosed. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi ordered Behera, who is currently serving as Director (commercial) in the Odisha Forest Development Corporation (OFDC), to be suspended.

Behera, formerly the divisional forest officer (DFO) of Paralakhemundi, was accused in the death of Soumya Ranjan Mohapatra, a former Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) from Paralakhemundi. Mohapatra, a 2018-batch officer of the Odisha Forest Service, suffered severe burns at his residence on July 11, 2021. His wife was present during the incident.

Mohapatra later died from his injuries at a private hospital in Cuttack on July 12, 2021. His family suspected murder and accused Behera, Mohapatra's wife, and a house cook. They filed a complaint on July 13, 2021, leading to the registration of a case at the Paralakhemundi police station. The case was later transferred to the Crime Branch.

In September 2022, the family expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation, citing inconsistencies. When the accused did not appear for summons, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Behera. He filed for anticipatory bail in the High Court but was denied. Behera surrendered to the Paralakhemundi court on July 27, 2026, and was placed in judicial custody.