Pipili probe panel issues notice to Odisha government

CUTTACK: Justice P K Mohanty Commission, probing the Pipili gangrape and murder case of 2012, has issued notice to the Odisha government seeking the presence of the additional director general of crime branch of police before it as the crime branch did not examine any political leader in its probe.

Taking up a fresh application filed by the counsel of victim's family, the Commission yesterday issued the notice to government seeking a reply to it before the next date of hearing on November 1.

Earlier during a cross examination in October last year, the Investigating Officer, DSP Ramesh Chandra Sethy, had told the Commission that no political leader was examined during the investigation of the case.

The counsel of the girl's family Nishikant Mishra in his application sought to know as to why not a single political leader was examined before the crime branch police submitted its charge sheet when a heavyweight cabinet minister put in his papers in the wake of the incident.

"Police did not bring political leaders into the purview of investigation though the FIR stated that due to political pressure, police and doctors neglected the rape victim and subsequently she died," Mishra alleged.