Patnagarh Parcel Bomb Case: Odisha Court Convicts Ex-Professor Punjilal Meher After Seven Years
Patnagarh, Odisha — In a major breakthrough in the infamous Patnagarh parcel bomb case, a court in Odisha’s Bolangir district on Wednesday convicted former English professor Punjilal Meher for masterminding the 2018 attack that killed two people and severely injured a newlywed bride. The verdict brings closure to one of the state’s most shocking and complex criminal investigations.
A Chilling Crime That Shocked Odisha
On February 23, 2018, just five days after their wedding, Soumya Sekhar Sahu, a 26-year-old software engineer, received a parcel at his home in Patnagarh, thinking it was a wedding gift. As he opened it with his wife Reema and his 85-year-old grandmother Jemamani Sahu, a powerful explosion ripped through the house. Soumya and his grandmother died instantly; Reema was critically injured but survived.
Investigation Uncovers a Calculated Plot
The Patnagarh parcel bomb case initially baffled investigators. Over 100 suspects were questioned before attention turned to Punjilal Meher, a colleague of Soumya’s mother, Sanjukta Sahu. Meher had reportedly harbored resentment after being replaced by Sanjukta as principal of Jyoti Vikas College in Bhainsa.
According to the investigation, Meher began collecting materials during Diwali 2017, extracting gunpowder from firecrackers and learning bomb-making techniques online. He assembled the device, disguised it as a wedding present, and used a courier service in Raipur, Chhattisgarh—far from the crime scene and without CCTV—to anonymously send the fatal parcel.
Crucial Clue Leads to Arrest
In a twist, Meher sent an anonymous letter to mislead police by suggesting multiple suspects and a false motive. Investigators noticed that the language, phrasing, and font pointed to someone with a strong command of English—ultimately narrowing the suspect list. A subsequent search of Meher’s home uncovered material evidence linking him to the attack.
“All the evidence was circumstantial, and there were no eyewitnesses,” said IPS officer Arun Bothra, who led the case. “Still, we ensured a watertight investigation. Justice has been served.”
Court Delivers Life Sentence
The court found Meher guilty under several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, attempted murder, and provisions of the Explosive Substances Act. While the prosecution sought the death penalty, the judge ruled the crime did not meet the threshold of the “rarest of the rare,” sentencing Meher to life imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000.
Reactions and Legacy of the Case
Soumya’s parents expressed mixed emotions. “We were hoping for capital punishment, but we respect the court’s decision,” said Rabindra Sahu, the victim’s father. Sanjukta Sahu also acknowledged the painful closure the verdict brings.
The Patnagarh parcel bomb case will remain etched in Odisha’s legal history as a rare example of a meticulously planned crime driven by personal vendetta. It exposed vulnerabilities in rural courier systems and highlighted the importance of forensic and linguistic analysis in solving modern crimes.
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