IAS officer, four family members found shot dead

Bargarh (Orissa), July 31 (PTI) Protector General of
Emigrants in Delhi Jagadananda Panda was Friday found dead
with bullet injuries along with bodies of four of his family
members in India's eastern state of Orissa while his son was
in a critical condition, in a case of suspected suicide and
murder.

The house of the 54 year-old senior IAS officer, who
was special relief commissioner in Orissa before going on
Central deputation a few years ago, was raided by CBI last
week which could have disturbed him, police said.

Going by the circumstantial evidence, police believe
that the Orissa cadre IAS officer could have committed suicide
after killing his family members-- his wife, father and two
sisters in Deogana, about six kms from here.

His revolver was found at the spot and the main door
and other entrances were shut from inside, Superintendent of
Police Ashok Biswal said.

The other bodies have been identified as that of his
wife Surekha (50), father Munshi Panda (75) and two sisters
Bijayalaxmi (57) and Kishori Mishra (44).

All the five were shot from close range and had bullet
injuries in the head, the police said.

Panda's 22-year-old son Swapneswar was admitted to a
hospital in a critical condition and operated upon. He was in
the intensive care unit and could throw light on what had
happened after recovery, police said.

A clear picture would emerge after investigation,
police sources said but did not indicate why the CBI raid was
conducted.

Panda had arrived from New Delhi two days ago with his
wife and son, while his two sisters, who stayed in Bargarh,
were visiting him, the officer's relatives said.

Panda's mother heard gunshots in the early morning and
came down from the first floor and called in neighbours.

Neighbours said that they also heard gunfire.

Senior police officials including Inspector General of
Police Y B Khurania were at the spot with scientific and
forensic teams.

Involvement of Maoists and criminals looked remote as
there was no sign of forced entry, the police said. PTI COR
AM