Bhubaneswar, Nov 2: In a major development in the high-profile ACF Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra mysterious death case, his wife, Bidyabharati Panda, surrendered before the SDJM Court in Paralakhemundi on Monday.

Monday was the last date for her to surrender before the court. She appeared before the SDJM Court on the final day following the Odisha High Court's rejection of her anticipatory bail application.

With her plea for anticipatory bail dismissed, Bidyabharati was facing the possibility of arrest. She eventually chose to surrender before the court rather than risk being arrested.

Earlier, in an order dated September 3, the High Court had rejected her petition seeking exemption from personal appearance and directed her to appear before the SDJM Court in Paralakhemundi by October 1.

Challenging the High Court's order, Bidyabharati had approached the Supreme Court. However, the apex court disposed of her petition while allowing her to seek anticipatory bail before the High Court. The Supreme Court did not grant her any interim protection from arrest.

Following the Supreme Court's direction, Bidyabharati moved the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The matter was initially taken up by the vacation bench, which directed the submission of the case diary.

During the hearing on Friday, the case diary was placed before the court, and arguments were advanced by both sides. After hearing the submissions, the High Court reserved its order.

The court subsequently rejected her anticipatory bail plea, leaving her with the option of surrendering before the trial court. Accordingly, she appeared before the Paralakhemundi SDJM Court on the last date specified for her surrender.

The development marks a significant turn in the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings surrounding the mysterious death of ACF officer Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra.