Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Former Malkangiri District Collector in High-Profile Debanarayan Panda Death Case
Chandra Bhanu Singh
Bureau chief Southern Odisha
In a significant development in the Malkangiri death case, the Sub-Divisional Judicial Magistrate (SDJM) Court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against former Malkangiri District Collector Manish Agrawal. The warrant was issued following his failure to appear in court in connection with the mysterious death of his associate, Debanarayan Panda, in December 2019.
The case has been under intense public scrutiny since Panda’s body was discovered at the Satiguda Dam on May 28, 2019, a day after he was reported missing. Panda, a Personal Assistant (P.A.) to the District Collector, went missing on May 27, 2019, after leaving for his office but failing to return home. Despite the family’s efforts to locate him, his whereabouts remained unknown until his body was recovered.
Following the discovery, Panda’s wife, Banaja, accused then-District Collector Manish Agrawal of being involved in her husband’s death, which she alleged to be a case of murder. Acting on a complaint filed by the family, the SDJM Court directed the police to register a murder case against four individuals, including Agrawal. Dissatisfaction over the initial investigation led to the case being handed over to the Crime Branch for further inquiry.
The non-bailable warrant underscores the court’s seriousness in addressing the case. The development has reignited discussions about accountability and transparency within the administrative system. Meanwhile, the family of the deceased, who have consistently pursued justice, were present in court when the warrant was issued.
As the Crime Branch continues its investigation, the case remains a focal point for legal and public discourse in Odisha, with calls for a thorough and impartial probe to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death.
