OPPN CRIES FOUL AFTER TWO ODIA TV CHANNEL EMPLOYEES HELD IN RAPE CASE

BHUBANESWAR: The CID of the Odisha Police on Monday arrested four persons including two employees of leading Odia TV channel OTV, which is owned by Jagi Panda --- the wife of BJP vice-president Baijayant Panda --- in connection with the alleged gang-rape of a 13-yearold girl earlier this year.

The action prompted the Opposition to say the police in the BJD-ruled state were targeting and harassing employees of OTV, which is critical of the state administration. CID officials said two security guards and two employees of OTV were those arrested, adding that the minor girl’s mother lodged a complaint against them in August.

The arrests came weeks after the Orissa high court asked the Odisha Police why no action was being taken in the case.

Soon after the arrests, OTV said, “There is no prima facie evidence against the arrested persons and so there was no reason for their arrest. On the other hand, police officials who have been accused in the case are yet to be arrested creating doubts about the fairness of the investigation,” the channel said. Senior Congress leader Suresh Routray said the arrests smacked of injustice and publicity stunt.

Senior lawyer and BJP leader Pitambar Acharya said the arrest of OTV employees was more of a selective prosecution. “Intentionally attacking the press freedom, which we term as malicious proceeding, is not a sign of a healthy democracy,” said Acharya.

ARRESTS AFTER THE ORISSA HC ASKED THE POLICE WHY NO ACTION WAS BEING TAKEN