Odisha CM orders SIT probe into gang rape of minor girl
Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnail on Wednesday ordered a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) to look into the alleged rape of a minor in Koraput district and circumstances under which she committed suicide last month.
The girl killed herself last month at her home, three months after she had alleged gang rape by unidentified jawans of paramilitary forces who were reportedly engaged in antiMaoist operations.
The state government had initially denied that the girl was sexually assaulted on basis of forensic reports. The first report of the forensic laboratory said there were two semen stains on the underwear of the girl, but the later one said they were vaginal secretions. Before committing suicide, the girl alleged that a deputy inspector general of police and other officers ranked below him tried to bribe her.
This provided the BJP ammunition to make it an issue before the crucial assembly by-poll in Bijepur later this month.
“Because of the extraordinary circumstances of the case after
BHUBANESWAR:
the death of the victim girl, my strong faith and conviction in the principles of natural justice and commitment to safety and dignity of women, the state government will take immediate steps for handing over the investigation of the cases by SIT. The state government is committed that justice should be delivered at the earliest and in the most transparent manner. The alleged gang rape case is an extremely tragic incident. It is my firm belief that law should take its own course and justice should be done without fear or favour,” said Patnaik, in a statement.
However, the opposition BJP said that Patnaik’s SIT probe order was “too smart and devoid of basic understanding of law”.
BJP spokesperson and senior lawyer of Odisha high court, Pitambar Acharya, said that a court-monitored probe is not in the government’s remit.
“Did the CM consult the chief justice of the Odisha high court before saying such a thing? He can’t order such an SIT on his own. The court can order an SIT based on a petition by a person,” said Acharya, asking why Patnaik was afraid of a CBI probe if he is so confident of himself.