Balangir, May 14: The Additional District Judge (ADJ) Court in Patnagarh is set to pronounce its verdict on May 28 in the much-publicized Patnagarh parcel bomb case, which rocked Odisha in 2018. All eyes are now on the court’s decision regarding the main accused, Punjilal Meher, a former principal of Bhainsa College.
The final arguments from both prosecution and defense concluded on Tuesday, bringing the seven-year-long trial closer to its end. Defense counsel Pramod Mishra argued that Meher has been wrongly implicated and criticized the Crime Branch for an allegedly one-sided investigation. “The probe overlooked several other suspects with stronger motives, while Punjilal was targeted without concrete evidence,” he said.
In contrast, Chittaranjan Kanungo, lawyer for the victims’ family, asserted that the investigation was thorough and evidence against Meher was substantial. “Justice will prevail,” he stated, supported by the victim's father, who expressed faith in the Crime Branch’s work.
The case dates back to February 23, 2018, when a parcel bomb exploded at the residence of Sanjukta Sahu, the principal of Bhainsa College, killing her son Soumyasekhar Sahu and her mother-in-law Jemamani Sahu. Soumyasekhar had been recently married, and the bomb was hidden inside what appeared to be a wedding gift.
The explosion also left Soumyasekhar’s wife, Reema Sahu, critically injured. Investigators later alleged that professional rivalry drove Punjilal Meher, who had been replaced as principal by Sanjukta, to orchestrate the attack. The parcel was reportedly sent by Meher under the guise of a congratulatory gift.
Punjilal Meher was arrested on April 25, 2018, by the Crime Branch and has remained in judicial custody at Balangir District Jail since then as an undertrial prisoner.
The forthcoming verdict will mark a major chapter in one of Odisha’s most shocking and closely followed criminal cases in recent memory.
