Bhubaneswar: The state government will set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe cases connected with the alleged gang rape and suicide of a girl at Kunduli in Koraput district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said Wednesday.
He said the probe would be carried out under the supervision of court and asserted that the government wants justice to be delivered at the earliest in a transparent manner. However, the opposition BJP and the Congress demanded a CBI inquiry.
The CM said in addition to transferring the case from the police to the Crime Branch, the government has also ordered an independent judicial inquiry by a judge nominated by HC.
“Because of the extraordinary circumstances of the case, my strong faith and conviction in the principle of natural justice and commitment to safety and dignity of women”, the government will hand over the probe to the SIT and it will be monitored by court, Patnaik told reporters.
Describing the alleged gang rape as tragic, he said, “It is my belief that justice should be done without fear or favour.”
Leader of the BJP Legislative Party KV Singh Deo said the people of Orissa have lost faith in the government’s handling of the the Kunduli case and the victim was forced to commit suicide as she was not getting justice. Senior Congress leader Pradip Majhi said, “The government seems to be confused. As the CM has no faith in the police, he ordered a court-monitored SIT for investigation. We demand a CBI probe into the matter.”
PTI