Odisha orders two probes into Kunduli gang-rape, draws Opposition fire

BHUBANESWAR: THE Odisha Government on Wednesday found itself in the eye of a controversy after ordering judicial as well as Crime Branch probes into the sensational Kunduli gang-rape.  A day after State police ruled out rape of the victim, the Chief Minister’s Office said a district judge-ranked officer will conduct the judicial probe as per the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952. Similarly, the Crime Branch will take over the probe from the Koraput police.

The decision to order two probes came in the wake of the revelation by the State police that investigation had found no sign of rape of the minor girl.The Government’s decision not only pointed at trust deficit in its own police force, it also gave Opposition fresh ammunition to attack the former. Besides, the decision to entrust the probe to Crime Branch, which is part of the State police, defied logic.

On Tuesday, Chief of Human Rights Protection Cell of Odisha Police Mahendra Pratap had gone on record saying that his independent inquiry, based on an investigation by the agencies, found no sign of rape.
Similarly, Koraput SP K V Singh had also stated that medical and forensic examinations ruled out rape. The Odisha Human Rights Commission had asked the HRPC to probe and submit a report.

The Opposition was quick to latch on to the BJD Government’s slip-up and said the two probes indicated that the State administration was trying to suppress the truth.  Congress targeted ADG Pratap and said the senior IPS officer had no business going public with his investigation outcome when the matter was with OHRC.

“His statement that there was no sign of rape will only influence the course of investigation by the Crime Branch,” OPCC chief Prasad Harichandan told mediapersons and demanded that the HRPC chief be dismissed right away.Former legislator and senior BJP leader Pratap Sarangi questioned the motive behind two probes and said if the HRPC concluded that there was no evidence of rape, what was the need for a fresh probe.

“The Chief Minister, who holds the Home department portfolio, has proved that he does not trust in his police force. A CBI probe can unravel the truth,” Sarangi said.Harichandan also questioned the judicial probe saying the BJD Government has constituted over 30 commissions of inquiry and not one report has been made public or implemented. This one is just an attempt to delay the probe, he added.

The Congress demanded immediate compensation to the minor girl and said  Naveen must relieve himself of Home department portfolio.The tribal girl had alleged that she was gang-raped by four men in uniform which led to outrage across the State as it suggested the role of paramilitary forces which are engaged in anti-Maoist operation.

However, during its investigation, Koraput police found no movement of the security forces near Kunduli on that day. Similarly, no movement of the Maoists, who sport army fatigues, was reported.