Patnagarh Wedding Gift Blast: Crime Branch files 300-page chargesheet against Punjilal

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Crime Branch on Monday filed chargesheet against Punjilal Meher, the prime accused in the sensational gift blast case, which had taken place in February this year.

According to reports, CB’s Investigating officer Anil Das submitted a 300-page preliminary chargesheet at the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court in Patnagarh against Punjilal.

As many as 72 witnesses including the newly-wed deceased bridegroom’s parents (Sanjukta and Rabindra Sahoo), 12 lecturers and staff of Jyoti Vikash College, five police officials, DTDC Courier staff in Raipur and owner of Skyking Courier Service have been named in the chargesheet.

Speaking about the chargesheet, Crime Branch Additional DG Police, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay said that the file includes, case record, search lists, seizure lists and documentary evidences.

“This is the preliminary chargesheet and the case is still open. We are awaiting for some more reports and forensic evidences. As the investigation progresses, the number of prosecution witnesses might also increase,” Upadhyay added.

While Soumya Sekhar Sahu and his grandmother Jemamani were killed in the heart-wrenching incident on February 23, bride Reema was severely injured.

While probing the case the Crime Branch had arrested Punjilal after a marathon interrogation.