Pipili gang rape verdict: BJP Mahila Morcha activists scuffle with cops on way to gherao Naveen Niwas

Bhubaneswar: A day after staging a demonstration in front of Crime Branch headquarters over alleged lapses in investigation of Pipili gang rape and murder case which led to the acquittal of two accused recently, the activists of BJP Mahila Morcha once again trained their guns on Odisha Chief Minister for maintaining silence after the statements of his minister Pradeep Maharathy. The women’s wing of the saffron party reiterated their demand for a CBI probe into the Pipili gang rape case and removal of Pradeep Maharathy from the cabinet.

Holding bangles in their hands, the activists of the BJP Mahila Morcha tried to gherao Naveen Niwas, the official residence of chief minister Naveen Patnaik today. However, tension erupted after police tried to prevent the Mahila Morcha members leading to a scuffle near Traffic Chhak. Several BJP Mahila Morcha activists were later taken into preventive custody by police.

“CM has no right to remain in power as he failed to give protection and justice to the Pipili gang rape victim. Similarly, the government has also failed miserably to give protection to women and girls who are being subjected to sexual assault in different parts of the State,” alleged BJP leader, Lekhashree Samantsinghar.

"It seems that there is undeclared emergency in Odisha as people are not allowed to ask questions," says Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while condemning police excess on BJP Mahila Morcha activists during the demonstration today.

Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy on the other hand refused to comment on the BJP Mahila Morcha's protest.