Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday handed over the investigation of the Kunduli gang rape and suicide case to a…
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (Photo: Twitter)
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday handed over the investigation of the Kunduli gang rape and suicide case to a Special Investigation Team with a prayer to be monitored by Court. Blowing the wind off the Opposition sail, the CM took the high moral ground stating he was doing so due to the extraordinary circumstances of the case after the death of the victim girl and his strong faith and conviction in the principles of natural justice and commitment to safety and dignity of women.
It is pertinent to note here that the BJP and Congress have been demanding resignation of the CM and a CBI probe in to the case. Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, a couple of days ago, had dared the CM to order a CBI probe or a court monitored SIT investigation to the case.
(Strangely however the state BJP on Wednesday debunked the SIT probe and asserted that a CBI probe alone can unravel the truth). Making a brief statement to the media, the CM said the government had transferred the case to the crime branch and also instituted a Judicial Inquiry with a sitting judge nominated by the High Court earlier.
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But given the extraordinary circumstances of the case after the death of the victim girl, the government has decided to give the case to a SIT to be monitored by Court. He reaffirmed that his government is committed that justice should be delivered at the earliest and in the most transparent manner.
Interestingly however no one was sure about the modalities of the CM’s announcement. It would not mean that the government will move the High Court praying it to monitor the SIT investigation. Sources said there is no case before the HC and hence asking it to monitor the SIT probe is a call which the court has to take.
Others however suggested that two PILs have been filed relating to the Kunduli case and the court may consider monitoring the SIT investigation in that context. These sources were not sure whether the court had taken up the PILs as yet.
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