Odisha govt trying to destroy proof in rape, suicide case of minor: Pradhan

Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday alleged that the Odisha government was trying to destroy evidence in the gang rape and subsequent suicide of a class 9 girl in Kunduli area of Koraput district.

“The Odisha government has failed to give justice to the minor girl. It is trying to destroy the evidence in the gang rape and suicide incident,” Pradhan told the media here.

Claiming that the state government was fully responsible for her suicide, he reiterated the demand for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the incident.

The minor, who was allegedly gang-raped by security personnel in October last year, committed suicide on January 22.

Pradhan said even 100 days after the incident and two weeks after the suicide of the victim, chief minister Naveen Patnaik had not yet reviewed the matter.

“Why are you silent, chief minister, on the issue even after 100 days passed?...”

The minister alleged that the girl has left a suicide note stating that some top police officials were involved in suppressing the case.

“The suicide note was destroyed to suppress facts. The suicide note must be brought under the purview of the inquiry,” he said.

Pradhan alleged that the state police chief offered her ₹90,000 to keep mum about the rape and she was put in a hospital for treatment of mental disorder while she was mentally sound.

Meanwhile, Biju Janata Dal spokesperson Pratap Deb said the BJP was politicising the issue.

BHUBANESWAR: