The petitioner in the petition has prayed to the court to order an probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the sale of fake medicine in the brand name of Telma-40. The drug is used for treating high blood pressure.
Two pharmaceutical distributors-Rahul Kayal (25) and Sanjay Jalan (52)- have already been arrested in connection with the seizure of the fake drugs. While Jalan is the owner of Puja Enterprises, Kayal is the owner of VR Drug Agencies.
Meanwhile, a four-member team led by the inspector-in-charge of Purighat police station has gone outside the State to conduct further investigation into the case. The police team has reportedly got vital information about the firm manufacturing the fake Telma-40.
Speaking about the case, Cuttack deputy commissioner of police (DCP) Pinak Mishra said that the police team is trying to reach the roots of the fake medicine case.
“The police are investigating the spurious drug case very carefully and meticulously. A team led by Purighat IIC has gone to outside the state to establish the links. Given the gravity of the case, we are trying out best. Our effort is to reach the roots of the case. We are trying to take the case to a logical conclusion,” Mishra said.
As per sources, one of the arrested accused had been running the business in the name of his mother, while another obtained the licence his wife’s name. The duo has got interim protection from the Orissa High Court.
“However, during the course of the investigation, we will interrogate them if required,” the Cuttack DCP added.
The CBI has initiated an inquiry against Batra for an alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 35 lakh belonging to the Hockey India.
In his reaction to OTV, Satapathy said, “The Odisha Government has been the sponsor of the Indian National Hockey since 2018 and funding it generously. But there should be an accountability for that money.”
“The money reportedly swindled by Batra is the hard-earned money of tax payers from Odisha. It should be spent on the development of the sport only,” Satapathy added.
The allegations of corruption against Batra are the latest in a series of issues surrounding the IOA.
On March 29, Honorary Treasurer of IOA Anandeshwar Pandey had written a letter to Batra alleging irregularities and seeking answers to expenditure on his office and the financial dealings of a company owned by Batra with Hockey India.
Jayanti Swain, mother of Manas said, “The details of the data in the memory chip in my son’s camera should be examined on a priority basis. There are other influential persons involved in this crime. And I think, only a CBI probe can unearth the mystery behind the memory chip and put all the hidden criminals to justice.”
“I demand death sentence for the killers of my son,” the bereaved mother said.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Crime Branch (CB) which is currently investigating the case, went to Manas’ home in Ranapur under Nayagarh district for investigation.
As per reports, the cops were there seeking help from his family members to identify Manas’ chappal and earphone they had recovered earlier.
The CB officials had a discussion with Manas’ brother and other family members in the village.
the three-day extended remand of prime accused Sarmistha Rout and other accused, which began on Monday, the CB conducted face-to-face grilling of Sarmistha and her associate Jhuna.
However, the main focus of interrogation has not been divulged yet by the Police, neither the memory chip mystery is seemed to have solved yet.
With the completion of the earlier five days’ remand period, the Crime Branch deposed Sarmistha Rout, Jhuna Bhoi, former OIS officer Niranjan Sethi and Ranjan Nayak alias Raj before the JMFC and prayed the court for five day remand of the accused.
It is believed that since several aspects of the case, including the cause behind the crime or the motive, are yet to be cracked, the agency had sought to take the accused on further remand.
Bharatiya Bikash Parishad, a rights activism body, has filed the PIL in the Orissa High Court seeking high-level impartial probe into the case by the central investigative agency.
The petitioner has also demanded the polygraph test on the two policemen suspected to be involved in the death of the IIC.
The petitioner has mentioned the names of as many as seven parties including Bhanjanagar SDPO, IIC as respondents in the case.
On March 25, Gamanga died after sustaining two gunshot wounds from his service revolver below the waist under mysterious circumstances inside the campus of his police station.
While it is still not clear as to whether the firing was accidental or suicidal, police initially claimed Dev was under mental duress. However, Gamanga's wife dismissed such rumours and clarified that he was under severe work pressure.
The mother of deceased Gamanga has also said that two Inspector-ranked (3-star) police personnel were present with her son at the time of the incident.
The Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Ganjam police has taken over investigation into the death case of the cop.
(Edited By Rashmi Ranjan Mohanty)
Congress MLA Santosh Singh Saluja said that the mother of the deceased had alleged the complicity of Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra in the case. Despite the allegations, no action has been taken in this regard so far, he said.
Saluja also questioned the decision of the government to hand over the probe to the Crime Branch at a time when it was being investigated by the Odisha Police.
“As no action was taken against the concerned Minister whose complicity was also alleged in the sensational Mamita Meher murder case, the investigation of the Manas Swain murder case should be handed over to the CBI,” demanded Saluja.
Earlier in the day, a joint team of the Crime Branch and Bhadrak Police arrested Sharmishta Rout, the prime accused in the Manas Swain murder case. Apart from Sharmishta, her associate Jhuna was also rounded up by the police.
Both Sharmishta and Jhuna were arrested from Nalanga area of Bhadrak district when they were returning from Kolkata in a bus.
Manas Swain, a resident of Godipokhari village in Ranpur area of Nayagarh had gone missing on February 7. He had reportedly gone to Bhadrak from Bhubaneswar for shooting a marriage function when he was abducted, taken to a room at Dayal Ashram in Bhubaneswar, assaulted and tortured. Later, his body was disposed of in Nayagarh.
So far, seven persons including retired Odisha Information Service (OIS) officer Niranjan Sethi have been arrested in connection with the murder case.
Responding to the allegations levelled by Saluja, BJD MLA Uma Samantray said, “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik never spares the guilty. The Crime Branch has already arrested the prime accused Sharmishta Rout today.”
The aggrieved families under the aegis of Bharatiya Bikash Parishad (BBP) on Monday issued an earnest appeal to the President of India to direct the government for handing over the murder cases of their members for probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation.
The families of the victims have said that they would submit a memorandum in this connection to the President of India demanding probe by the central agency or else they may be allowed to take their own lives.
The families alleged that all these 21 cases have had alleged involvement of either a State government Minister or a BJD leader, the reason behind Police soft pedalling the cases.
RTI activist, Sanjukta Mohapatra said, “We want to question the government over the transparency of probe. If the families of the victims do not find the probe satisfactory how will they expect a fair judgement in the case.”
Apart from that, the BBP also questioned the role of the Court in all these cases. Surendra Panigrahi, the President of BBP said, “Even in the Mamita murder case, we sent memo to the court, following which the case went to the listing section. But it miraculously disappeared from the list after finalisation of dates.”
This is a usual occurrence in whatever memo we submit in the Courts. From custodial deaths in Golanthara and Bargarh to Mamita murder case. Our memos always disappear from the list during allotment of dates of hearing,” alleged Panigrahi.
It is pertinent to mention here that, the winter session of the Odisha Assembly is set to start from December 1. And the Opposition has geared up to target the government over the law and order situation in the State, particularly in the backdrop of the sensational Mamita Meher murder case.
Questioning the stoic silence of CM Naveen over the murder case that has been tearing the State apart with tumult for past couple of weeks, Sarangi called upon Patnaik to give his reaction to the media over the case and formally hand over the probe to CBI.
Sarangi dared Patnaik to come clean on minister Dibya Shankar's link with the murder prime accused Gobinda Sahu and role in the case.
If your (minister Dibya Shankar) is innocent, where is the harm in admitting it and why is there so much apprehension surrounding it, the parliamentarian questioned during a press briefing in Bhubaneswar.
Quoting a recent NCRB report on the whopping 26 per cent rise in crimes against women in the State, Sarangi said it feels despicable to see that Odisha has scripted an unholy record of securing second rank among all states in the country in terms of crimes against women.
"It is even more dreadful that despite witnessing a flurry of crimes, the conviction rate is also extremely disheartening," said the BJP lawmaker.
Here in Odisha, women are unsafe and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is responsible for it. So the BJP has decided to reach out to every nook and corner of the State to create awareness about the issue in the public, she added.
Meanwhile, shortly after Sarangi's media interaction, Minister of State for Home in Odisha, Dibya Shankar Mishra opened up on the Mamita murder case for the first time since the sensational incident.
In a press statement, Mishra said that he was deeply anguished by the unfortunate death of Mamita and noted that guilty must be given strictest punishment as per law.
Swearing that he has nothing to do with the offence, Mishra urged the Opposition political parties and media to take the evidence against him to the Police or the Courts.
“I will not only resign from my position but will also retire from public life.." the minister wrote in the statement.
As ruling party leaders and bureaucrats are involved in such discrepancies, attempts are being made to suppress the matter, the civil society body alleged.
“Therefore, we demand a probe by the central investigating agency into the alleged irregularities to bring out the truth. Apart from this, the Brahma Parivartan fiasco probe report should also be made public,” said convener of the Odisha Civil Society, Pradeep Pradhan.
Former Law minister Arun Sahoo, BJD MP Achyuta Samanta and Sri Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) chief administrator Suresh Mohapatra should be arrested for their alleged complicity in the matter, Pradhan demanded.
He also asked for a CBI probe into the missing Ratna Bhandar controversy as the commission set up by the State government is yet to submit its report.
It is pertinent to mention that Chief Maharana (carpenter) of Debadalan chariot of Devi Subhadra who was in-charge of construction of new idols of the holy Trinity during the Nabakalebara ceremony had blamed the daitapati servitors for the brahma paribartan fiasco and alleged that there were massive irregularities in ‘daru’ selection.
Earlier, Opposition has also demanded CBI probe into the incident accusing the then Law Minister of being involved in the Brahma Paribartan fiasco.
Alleging that some influential people are involved in the matter, Bahinipati stated truth will come out once the central investigating agency conducts a probe.
"Undoubtedly Jagannath lovers have been hurt due to the recent allegations of irregularities in 'daru' selection. The State government should order CBI probe as former minister and bureaucrats are involved in it," he added.
Commenting on the matter BJP MLA KV Singhdeo said there is no guarantee that an investigation will yield any result as past record shows report of the judicial inquiry ordered by the State government has not been presented before the public.
Refuting the charges Odisha Law Minister Pratap Jena said the State government had ordered an inquiry and the process has begun.
"This allegation is only a political ploy to malign the image of BJD. If there was an attempt to hide anything we would not have ordered for an inquiry and begin process to take action against those who are involved in it," stated Jena.
Meanwhile, Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati said, "Why the SJTA is directionless and in deep slumber? The administration should present the issue before me to get clarified."
It is pertinent to mention here that large-scale violence was reported during the observance of Puri bandh called by the socio-cultural outfit on October 3 over the introduction of queue system at Srimandir.
Protesters had allegedly vandalized property at the residence of local MLA and Revenue Minister Maheswar Mohanty, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) office and the tourist information centre.
Following incidents of vandalism by agitators, policemen had allegedly entered the 12th century shrine wearing shoes and holding weapons. Protesting such act of the cops, the members of the socio-cultural outfit had moved the apex court demanding a CBI probe.
In another development, the Puri district judge recently granted bail to 25 persons who were arrested for the violence during Puri bandh.
The Union Home Ministry had sought a reply from the Odisha government regarding the bridge on the basis of a question asked in the Lok Sabha on July 24.
Meanwhile, a BJP delegation led by the State party unit president Basant Panda today met Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal and sought CBI probe into the project.
The Congress too demanded a CBI probe alleging that around Rs 74 crore were paid fraudulently in excess to the contractor engaged for the Gurupriya bridge project.
“The excess payment had been pointed out by the Principal Accountant General," Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President Niranjan Patnaik had said adding that only CBI probe unearth the facts.
The state government has misused public money to benefit the contractor, Patnaik had alleged.
"My daughter demanded punishment for the accused and was hopeful that the government will provide justice. But the government killed my daughter," said the victim's mother.
"The government is not revealing the truth and trying to suppress the case. Nothing came out of the Crime Branch and judicial probe. If government does not want to order a CBI probe, it should close the case," said the victim's brother.
On the other hand, the lawyer in charge of the judicial probe assured that truth will definitely come out.
"Investigation will be conducted to ascertain whether there was rape or not. If there was rape who committed it and what led the victim to commit suicide," said Prabhakar Patnaik, Public Prosecutor, Koraput.
The girl from Kunduli, on October 10 last year had alleged gang rape by four uniformed personnel. The incident sent shockwaves across Odisha with opposition confronting the government demanding arrest of the accused. Six days after the incident police detained four persons of her village for interrogation but were unable to find any clue. Later, the girl alleged she was offered bribe by the DGP to change her statement. Tangled amid her poor health condition and the prolonged probe, she committed suicide on January 11, 2018.
While the investigating officers of Odisha police claimed that the Kunduli girl was not subjected to any ‘sexual assault,’ copy of a report of the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) fell in the hands of OTV which revealed that traces of semen were found on her clothes.
Opposition again targeted the government and concerns were expressed over the credibility of the SFSL report. Following this, Odisha DGP RP Sharma directed re-examination of the victim’s clothes at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL), Kolkata.
However, the CFSL gave a clean chit to SFSL report stating no traces of semen were found on the victim’s clothes.
Koraput police had initiated the probe into the case which was later taken over by Crime Branch. A judicial probe was ordered by the Odisha government on December 26, 2017 and further in February 2018, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ordered a probe by Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of the court.
Despite all this, justice for the family members is still elusive.
"There are differences in the forensic reports and identities of the accused are yet to be ascertained. The accused are still at large after so many investigations, therefore I am also not able to understand the probe process," said BJP leader Jayaram Pangi.
"Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will conduct a SIT probe under the supervision of the High Court and has also ordered for a judicial enquiry, which has been initiated. Even if the victim is not among us, she will definitely get justice," said BJD spokesperson, Rabi Narayan Nanda.
Reema urged Patnaik to take necessary action to arrest the culprits involved in the Patnagarh wedding gift explosion in which her husband Soumyasekhar and his grandmother were killed on February 23. They had received the parcel as a marriage gift.
“I want justice and my family had met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday. I also urge for stern action against those involved in the case,” said Reema.
Reema further stated that her husband Soumyasekhar did not have any enmity with anyone as he was very friendly with everyone.
“Police needs to conduct a thorough probe into the origin of the parcel and other aspects so that the culprits are nabbed,” said Reema.
The news of her husband's death in the fateful incident was broken to Reema after 25 days.
So far police are yet to get any concrete clues in connection with the mysterious parcel bomb blast even though cops claim to have intensified their probe into the case.
Backed by Congress MLA from Koraput Krushna Chandra Sargaria and former MP Pradeep Majhi, the family of the victim staged demonstration protesting injustice and lapses in investigation of the case.
The Congress MLA demanded a CBI probe into the incident citing that Odisha government is allegedly trying to suppress the issue in the name of investigation.
The 14-year-old school girl, who was allegedly gang raped by four security personnel on October 10, 2017, had subsequently committed suicide at her residence on January 23, 2018.
The girl had earlier alleged that she was gang-raped by four persons in camouflage uniform in Lanjiguda Forest near Kunduli.
During her treatment at Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput she had accused the police of harassing and putting pressure on her to change her statement.
"We are demanding a CBI probe as Odisha government has failed to provide justice to my daughter," said mother of the deceased Kunduli girl. We will also meet the President of India on the issue, she added.
Congress alleged that the family has completely lost faith on the investigation by Odisha police.
"We want the truth for which CBI probe is being demanded," said Sargaria.
According to sources, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and urged for a probe by an 'independent agency.'
Earlier, parents of the deceased student had met Patnaik at the Secretariat and had sought intervention of the State government in the matter.
It may be recalled that the +2 first year student was allegedly ragged and beaten up brutally by a few students inside the hostel of Sri Chaitanya College at Visakhapatnam on December 26 last year.
Shreyas was admitted to a hospital in Rourkela for treatment and later shifted to Bhubaneswar. He died while undergoing treatment at the hospital on January 6.
The death had then sparked off widespread resentment with locals observing a bandh in Garposh area in Sambalpur.
Several students' outfits had also carried out rallies demanding a CBI probe into the incident.
A team of Vizag police had also conducted a preliminary investigation by examining doctors at the private hospital where Shreyas was undergoing treatment.
In a letter to Jamir, the former CM said people and family members of the victim are not satisfied with the investigation undertaken by different State agencies to unearth the truth.
"There is a need of handing over the case to CBI. The Governor may direct the government of Odisha to hand over the Kunduli incident to CBI under article 244 (1) of the constitution," he stated in the letter.
Gamang also requested the Governor to direct the Odisha government to submit detailed report on Kunduli incident from the day one to till date.
Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of State. The CBI cannot to take up the case on its own unless the government comes forward in this regard.
Gamang further stated the State government should take adequate measures to prevent such incidents in the fifth schedule areas like Kunduli in Koraput district.
The brother of the minor victim has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking CBI inquiry into the incident.
Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered a SIT probe into the gang rape and suicide of the minor girl. The probe will be monitored by the court, he had added.
Citing discrepancies in the forensic reports, the victim's brother alleged that said that the family has no faith in the probe being conducted by Odisha police. In the petition, he has further prayed the apex court to order for a CBI inquiry, sources said.
He has also reportedly mentioned in the petition that the state police tried to sabotage the investigation by manipulating the medical evidences.
The SC is likely to hear the petition in the third week of this month.
Earlier on February 7, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had ordered for a court-monitored probe by a special investigation team (SIT) into the alleged gang rape and suicide incident.
Briefing mediapersons, Pradhan questioned the significance of a SIT probe at a time when the Kunduli victim had brought allegations against the chief of Odisha police.
“The Kunduli victim had alleged that the Odisha police head had bribed her for not disclosing the issue. Now her family members have alleged that the police have destroyed the suicide note. So what’s the point of an SIT probe now? The inquiry will never be impartial,” alleged Pradhan.
He further alleged that the state government is only making the investigation directionless in the name of Crime Branch probe and judicial probe.
Alleging that the SIT probe will not ensure justice to the victim, Pradhan demanded resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds. He also demanded the CM to hand over of the investigation to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
“We had demanded a CBI or a court-monitored SIT probe into the Kunduli episode. If the CM really wants to ensure justice he should resign from his post on moral grounds,” the Union Minister stated.
Addressing a press meet here Mohapatra said that as he is the BJD observer for Ganjam district many people contact him on phone and he does not know each one of them.
Mohapatra alleged that it is a conspiracy against him and demanded an impartial probe. He even said that the police have violated the law by releasing the video footage of the arrested accused and demanded that the CBI or a monitoring committee constituted by the Orissa High Court should investigate the case.
"I had not provided security to anybody therefore I am ready to face probe. Do the police ever divulge the details about the place an accused was hiding or who had provided them shelter? It is clearly a conspiracy. As BJP is raising the issue regularly and gaining popularity, an environment is being created to divert people from supporting BJP," said Mohapatra.
On the other hand, targeting the BJP again, BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra in a press meet today demanded a thorough probe by police on the incident and stringent action against the accused.
He questioned why the BJP is terrified. Golak Mohapatra had been targeting the Ganjam SP earlier through press conferences fearing that his name will be raised in the case, alleged Patra.
"Why is the BJP reacting so much, why is it so doubtful and terrified, don't they want the law to take its own course? BJD requests them to cooperate and take part in the police investigation," said Patra.
However, BJP spokesperson Dilip Mohanty claimed, scared of the growing popularity of BJP, the BJD has planned a conspiracy. He even alleged the BJD of misusing the government machinery.
https://youtu.be/HCAfaWrYeyY
Meanwhile, police have verified the call records of accused Krushna Chandra Nayak and found that he had contacted BJP leader Mohapatra a day before Laxmidutta's murder. The call details revealed that calls have been made and received between Mohapatra's 94370-12390 number and Krushna's 96922-57010 and 70590-35221 numbers.
As per reports, Krushna had contacted Mohapatra 19 times from Uttarakhand. However, BJP termed it as a conspiracy of Ganjam police.
"It is clearly a political conspiracy. If the police are unbiased, it would have submitted the evidence in court. Why did the police leak such sensitive information to media? It is a conspiracy against BJP to check its popularity. People of Odisha will surely give a befitting reply in coming days," said BJP spokesperson Lekhasri Samantsinghar.
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The PIL, filed by the Nationalist Lawyer's Forum, demanded a thorough CBI investigation into the case.
Earlier in the day, social worker Surendra Panigrahi filed another PIL in the Orissa High Court seeking action against the officials involved in the flyover mishap.
The PIL included the names of Odisha Chief Secretary, Khurda district Collector, Ex-Secretary, Superintendent of Works Department, Executive Engineer and Junior Engineer as the parties in the issue. It also involved the two Board of Directors of Panda Infra, Sujata Panda and Santosh Panda as the parties.
Also Read: Flyover road Sheetal would travel less on!
The petitioner in his PIL demanded cancellation of licence of the Construction Company.
Petitioner’s counsel Antaryami Swain said his client has also demanded for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the incident so that necessary action is taken against all the officials involved.
Also Read: Flyover collapse leaves one dead in Bhubaneswar; CM announces ex-gratia
The PIL further sought to know how the state government granted work orders to Panda Infra for the flyover construction although there were complaints against the said company.
Also Read: The flyover that crushed this dad’s heart too!
“We had fielded a woman candidate for the post of ZP chairman. However, Congress’ Hemanand Biswal and MLA Jogesh Singh didn’t support us. It seems like Prafulla Majhi was interested in offering his support to us. However, it looks like a secret internal deal was struck among them,” said union minister and senior BJP leader Jual Oram.
“We demand a CBI probe into this whole incident as such high profile persons are involved in it,” said BJP youth wing president, Tankadhar Tripathy.
The ruling party refuted the allegations.
“There is no question of horse trading as BJD had a majority. BJP’s claims are baseless,” said BJD MLA, Pravat Biswal.
Also Read: Cong MLA alleges horse trading after member defects in Sundergarh ZP chairman poll
Meanwhile, in a letter to the leader of the Opposition and senior party leader Narsingh Mishra, Majhi has termed the alliance between the BJD and Congress as unethical and unholy, and blamed the district Congress president for the same.
“Because it is an unholy alliance, I am against it. Though I had already spoken to the District Congress President to maintain equal distance from BJD and BJP, it was not done. Hence this letter will go to the Congress high command through the leader of Opposition,” stated Majhi.
While the Congress Bhubaneswar District Committee has been sitting on a dharna in front of the BMC office demanding for the same since last eight days, the Mahila Congress joined the stir today.
The party warned that it would gherao all block offices tomorrow in demand of the Mayor’s resignation and if the Mayor does not resign even after that the party would hold a mass rally in the capital and gherao the Naveen Niwas.
Women Congress state president Sasmita Behera said serious charges have been brought against the Mayor. Even though 15 days have been passed since the reports of the sex scandal video and Rishi death case were out, the Mayor is still in the job. “The probe process will be affected if he does not resign. The investigation by police is bow directionless whereas the Chief Minister is trying to protect the Mayor,” she alleged.
Talking to OTV, president of Prabasi Odia Chit Fund Jamakari Mahasangh, Srikant Padhi, said the Mahasangh has submitted its application to Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani through the Pandesara police, Surat Collector and Police Commissioner.
“In the application, we have requested the chief minister to order a CBI probe into the Oscar chit fund scam as we have no faith on the Odisha government which is yet to take any action against this ponzi farm despite repeated requests. The Mahasangh has demanded that cases against nine persons including two sitting Members of Parliament and some Ollywood actors should be registered in Surat”, he added.
Surat SP Mukesh Patel said cases under section 406 and 420 of the IPC have been registered against the Oscar Management Services Ltd in Udhna police station and police has started investigation into the matter.
While Commerce and Transport minister and Jharigan MLA Ramesh Majhi led the demonstration in Nabarangpur, the home constituency of Pradip Majhi, in Koraput, the BJD workers led by their district unit president Jayaram Pangi took out a rally and burnt the effigy of Majhi.
"We demand a CBI probe into this case and immediate arrest of Pradip Majhi, his father and brother failing which BJD will launch block-level demonstration. If necessary, we will begin hartal in the undivided Koraput district," Majhi said.
In Rayagada too, BJD workers burnt the effigy of the Congress leader while in Malkangiri, ruling party workers led by the local MLA Manas Madkami took out a protest rally.
Talking to media persons, Madkami said the former Congress MP, despite being the chairperson of the Adivasi Cell, always sheds crocodile tears for the tribals from whom he has looted money. "The BJD demands his immediate arrest and a CBI probe into the matter," he said.
While there was no reaction from Pradip Majhi, the Congress dubbed the BJD demonstration as ‘utterly ridiculous’.
“When Majhi has already called for a thorough investigation to bring out the real truth, there is no reason for the BJD to politicise the issue,” former PCC secretary Manoranjan Tripathy told the media here.
Notably, OTV had flashed the report on transfer of cash worth Rs 35 lakh and Rs 1.62 crore from the Seashore bank account to the bank accounts of Pradip Majhi’s father and brother respectively.
Though 12 days have already passed since the incident took place, no one has been arrested so far, RTI activist Sunil Kumar Rath pointed out while praying to the court to urgently intervene in the matter and order a CBI probe into the incident.
The petitioner also prayed to the court to direct the state government to provide adequate compensation to the family members of the deceased and a government job to one member of each family.
The PIL has made the CBI, state Home secretary, Director General of Police (DGP), DIG, Southern Range and Kandhamal SP as parties in the case.
Appearing for the state, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi disputed the claims of the petitioner NGO and told the court that photos attached to the plea are not of the said incident.
"The petitioner says there are eight minors (killed in the shootout) but there was no minor," Rohatgi told a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra.
The court asked General Secretary N. Narayan Rao of NGO Civil Liberty Committee to file an affidavit in support of the claims in the public interest litigation.
The bench said that the petitioner has to file an affidavit about the authenticity of the photographs and posted the matter for August 29.
During the hearing, the NGO's counsel said that the petitioner NGO was concerned only with the innocent tribals and not Maoists.
The NGO had urged the apex court for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or a Special Investigating Team (SIT).
It also sought directions for an inquiry by a sitting Judge of the High Court.
On August 6, police said that 15 Maoists were killed and a senior cadre and a woman rebel captured after a gun battle with security forces in Sukma district following intelligence inputs about the presence of a large number of Maoists.
Eight Maoists, including four women, were gunned down by security forces in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district on July 19.
In April, eight Maoists -- six of them women -- were killed in a joint operation by Chhattisgarh and Telangana securitymen near the inter-state boundary in Bijapur.
The party also called it a "Gujarat model of Corruption."
"Latest revelations in the GSPC scam have revealed reports of misspending of Rs 10,651.80 crore of foreign exchange. This is evident from the examination of the accounts of the GSPC between 2006-07 and 2015-16," Congress spokesperson Ajoy Kumar told media persons.
"What is striking is that the spending of this foreign exchange is not explained in the profit and loss account of the GSPC. The question is where did this money go?" he asked.
The Congress demanded a CBI inquiry monitored by a Supreme Court judge in the alleged scam.
"Just Rs 372.32 crore expenditure in foreign exchange was mentioned in the accounts of GSPC in the category of miscellaneous expenses. Can such a huge amount spent from the state exchequer be put in the category of 'miscellaneous expenses'," he asked.
"The sudden increase in expenditure in foreign currency in the GSPC accounts reeks of a conspiracy," he added.
According to the party, in the year 2008-09, the amount of foreign exchange spent has been shown to be Rs 175 crore and it increased to Rs 208 crore in 2009-10.
In 2012-13, the amount of expenses in foreign currency was shown as Rs 472 crore, which increased to Rs 622 crore the next year, Rs 614 crore in the following year before suddenly increasing to Rs 1,667 crore next year.
Eleven journalists' organisations, led by Tripura Newspaper Society President Subal Kumar Dey, held the demonstration in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue near Raj Bhavan on the Mahatma's 148th birth anniversary.
They vowed to continue the agitation until the state government asks the Central Bureau of Investigation to inquire into the killing.
"Before and after the killing of journalist Santanu Bhowmik, there has been negligence on the part of Tripura Police. If the CBI probes the killing, the truth would come out," Dey said while addressing the demonstration.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) Arindam Nath told IANS that so far three people, including main accused Sachin Debbarma, have been arrested for the killing of the 28-year-old journalist, who went to Mandai (35 km north of here) to cover the violent activities of a tribal party.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigative Team (SIT), constituted by the state government to probe the killing, has already started its inquiry.
The five-member SIT is headed by senior IPS officer Inspector General of Tripura State Rifles and Training G.S. Rao.
The other members of the SIT are IPS officer and Deputy Inspector General (CID) Uttam Majumder, Additional Superintendent of Police Kishore Debbarma, Deputy Superintendent of Police (CID) Prithwish Bhattacharjee and Inspector Nityananda Majumder.
Police said 29-year-old Jiban Debnath, driver of a private vehicle, was still missing since September 20 and a search was on for him.
A journalist of a Delhi-based newspaper had hired the private vehicle to visit Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council headquarters at Khumulwng along with a local guide.
Police, quoting the FIR, said members of the Indigenous People's Front of Tripura attacked them and set the vehicle afire. While the journalist and his guide reported to the police on September 21, the driver continues to remain missing.
Speaking to media, Pangi said the Odisha Crime Branch has failed to bring the culprits in the murder case to book even after eight years of investigation and hence he has urged the Home Minister to order a CBI inquiry into the case.
"We met the Home Minister and apprised him about the murder case of Mandangi. Even after eight years, the Crime Branch is yet to arrest or identify the culprits. The reason behind such inaction is the involvement of a powerful BJD leader and attempts are being made to shield him. Therefore, we demanded for a CBI inquiry," said Pangi.
Revealing further details, he said: "Locals (residents of Rayagada) have been alleging involvement of BJD MP N Bhaskar Rao in the murder. We have also written to the President of India in this regard. But neither the Odisha government nor the CB is taking any step in this regard."
Also Read: BJP’s Mission 120 is now ‘Mission 420’: OPCC Chief
Mandangi, a former councillor of Rayagada municipality, went missing for a few days before his body was found on December 18, 2010, near Komarada in Andhra Pradesh.
MP Rao is yet to comment on Pangi’s allegations.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi issued notice to the CBI on the petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government challenging the High Court order.
"We have to see the other side," the bench, also comprising Justice S K Kaul, said when senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi sought a stay of the high court's order.
The police firing had taken place in Tuticorin district during the anti-Sterlite protests that claimed 13 lives on May 22, 2018.
The high court ordered that FIRs be registered against top police officials and officials of the civil administration.
The agency carried out searches at 12 locations, including four offices of the Sify Technologies Pvt Ltd in Chennai, Noida, Mumbai and Okhla, New Delhi besides the residence of one of its employees, Sant Prasad Gupta in Sheikh Sarai area here, they said.
It is alleged that the paper of the second tier of the Combined Graduate Level (CGL), 2017, which took place on February 21, 2018 and its answer key were allegedly leaked and became viral on social media before examination began.
The examination papers were set in such a way that an examinee got the questions in a certain 'sequence', they said.
Going by the pattern of the questions leaked, the CBI managed to locate seven students who would have received those questions in that particular pattern.
These students have been named as accused and their complicity would be decided during the course of investigation which has begun now, the officials said.
Sant Prasad Gupta, custodian of the question bank at Sify, along with nine other employees of the company who were site managers at seven examination centres where the leaked paper had reached, have also been named in the FIR, they said.
It was during the tenure of Ashim Khurana, Chairman, Staff Selection Commission, that contract for conducting online CGL examination for recruitment of the Group B and C services in the central government was given to the Sify Technologies on April 12, 2016.
Khurana has recently been given one year extension as the chairman.
Prior to that, the examination was conducted in optical marks reader (OMR) mode, the FIR has said.
The first level of the examination had taken place in August last year and the candidates who had cleared the cut-off list had appeared for the second level of examination (Tier II) between February 17 and February 22 this year.
It was found that question paper was uploaded by the central examination back-end team of Sify in Chennai between 9.30 am and 10 am.
The question pack activation passwords were then sent to site supervisors who communicated to examination controller and venue specific question papers were downloaded and activated using examination interface.
The screenshots revealed that they belonged to seven candidates who have been named in the FIR, they said.
Sify officials, who were supposed to take charge of the examination centres five days before the exams, had to ensure that none of the computers used in the examination has any undesirable software, the FIR alleged.
"These screenshots also shows the use of remote access software for solving the question papers. This fact shows that the above candidates used remote access software for solving their question papers by means of outside help from unknown persons.
- the FIR alleged.
They alleged that the enquiry pertaining to answer key dated February 21, 2018 revealed that this answer key got viral on social media at 10.10 am on February 21, 2018 before the scheduled time of exam 10.30 am.
"Enquiry further revealed that Sant Prasad Gupta being head of content team of M/s Sify got prepared the question papers of CGL examination, 2017 and he was the custodian of said question papers. The above facts and circumstances reveals his involvement in the leakage of above papers," it alleged.
It said in furtherance of the said criminal conspiracy, the unidentified officials of the SSC, who were supposed to supervise and monitor in order to ensure fair and smooth conduct of the examination, abused their official position as public servants, resulting into above illegal acts.
The search operation of the agency covered seven examination labs in Patna, Shimla, Ambala and Jaipur and three places in Delhi, besides Sify offices in Chennai, Noida, Mumbai, Okhla.
In the CGLE-2017, more than 30 lakh candidates across the country had applied for just over 8,000 vacancies, Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh had said.
Out of these, around 1.5 lakh candidates were short-listed after the Tier-1 exam, he had said.
"BJP ever so quick to use CBI/ED against other political parties. Why not now when it comes to one of their own; son of their party president? Media now needs to be fearless," Derek O'Brien, TMC Parliamentary Party leader in the Rajya Sabha, said in a statement.
O'Brien's statement came as several opposition parties demanded a probe into claims in a media report that a company owned by BJP chief Amit Shah's son saw a massive rise in its turnover after the BJP came to power in 2014.
The charge was rejected by the BJP and Shah s son, Jay Amit Shah, who termed the story false, derogatory and defamatory .
DySP Ganapathy had died at Madikeri in Karnataka under mysterious circumstances on July 7 last year.
A bench, comprising Justices A K Goel and U U Lalit, allowed the appeal of M K Kushalapp, father of the deceased police officer, filed against the order of the Karnataka High Court rejecting his plea for CBI probe into the death case.
"There are certain startling facts in the case. Whether it is murder or suicide, it is required to be investigated in a fair manner," the bench said.
It asked the CBI to file a status report on the probe before it within 3 months.
The top court said it was neither determining the nature of the offence, nor the fact as to who are guilty.
"But public confidence and societal requirement demand that the guilty persons must be reached," the bench said while ordering the CBI probe into the matter.
The Karnataka government had opposed the plea in the apex court saying that a thorough and in-depth probe had been conducted in the case.
It was claimed in the appeal that before the death, the police officer had accused Bengaluru city development minister K J George and senior officers A M Prasad and Pranab Mohanty of harassing him.
The bench considered the allegations and said under these circumstances, the probe should be carried out by an independent agency.
Senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, representing the state government, opposed the plea and said the relevant materials could be submitted in the court to establish that the probe has been conducted fairly.
Another senior advocate A M Singhvi, who represented George, argued that the police officer was suffering from depression and had undergone treatment.
Senior lawyer Jayant Bhushan, appearing for the father of the deceased, said the state CID had probed the matter and filed the closure report without getting the forensic report.
The probe cannot be conducted by a state agency when former Home Minister and two senior officers are under the scanner, he alleged.
The CBI has now registered an FIR against unknown bank officials and unknown persons for criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption.
Based on source information, the CBI had carried out a surprise check in the Civil Lines branch of State Bank of India in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly on January 2.
During the operation, the CBI detected that a huge amount of cash was deposited in the bank after November 8 last year, when the notes ban was announced, in newly-opened accounts and the dormant accounts which had been activated.
The CBI had found that 2,441 new accounts were opened by bank officials between November 8 and December 31.
Out of these accounts, 667 were savings accounts, 53 were current, 94 were Jan Dhan accounts, 50 PPF, 1,518 FD, 13 festival accounts, two senior citizen accounts and one government account.
The probe found that there were 794 instances at the bank when cash of over Rs 1 lakh and more was deposited. In certain cases huge cash deposits were also made but the sources refused to disclose the amount.
These accounts were opened by bank officials allegedly in connivance with private persons which enabled deposits of huge cash and currency conversion without keeping proper records.
"It is observed that 267 dormant accounts have been activated after declaration of demonetisation by the bank officials in connivance with private persons in order to facilitate the deposit of old currency notes," the FIR said.
It said in order to cover up the alleged misdeeds of the officials, complete teller reports, details of receipt of old currency notes and its exchange with new currency notes was not maintained by them, though it was the responsibility of the concerned branch to maintain the teller reports.
The CBI alleged that vault register and other records maintained by cash department of the branch containing details of inward and outward movement of notes was made "casually" and a lot of alterations were made in a number of pages.
"By the acts of commission and omission, the bank officials in connivance with private persons have conspired to defeat the purpose of demonetisation and facilitated exchange of black money and deposit of bank accounts without maintaining proper records," it alleged.
The matter had came to fore after an employee who was facing charges of financial irregularities suddenly absconded after burning official documents and currency notes worth Rs 1.67 lakh.
A two-member team of the CBI reached the office of the Central establishment to probe the case and also visited the SP office to collect more information regarding the alleged wrongdoings of the finance manager.
The central probing agency has registered corruption case against eight officials of the HAL alleging that they routed company funds amounting to Rs 5 crore to certain contractors through fraudulent means between January and August.
The accused have been identified as Bhaben Mitra, Abinash Kumar Sarkar, Subhashree Das, Jayaram Garada, Bipra Charan Maharana, Jisudan Khosla, Urdhav Khola and Sadananda Nayak.
"Officials of CBI reviewed the progress of the probe and discussed with us on how to take the investigation forward," said additional SP of Koraput district VR Rao.
It is pertinent to note that Bhaben Mitra, a finance manager of the Engine Division of the company who was facing enquiry over alleged irregularities had fled earlier this month after burning official documents and currency notes.
Preliminary investigations revealed financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 1 crore after HAL vigilance department raided the residence of the accused manager and seized pen drive, handsets, cash voucher register and other incriminating documents. Later the case was handed over to the CBI because it involved possible bribery, corruption, forgery and criminal breach of trust.
The Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) says 15,000 rare books, 16,000 artefacts related to Sikh religion and history and handwritten 'birs' (copies) of Guru Granth Sahib were among the items that had gone missing.
Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal last week called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought his intervention so that the they are located and returned to community with due honour.
In a written submission Badal said the Sikhs are eagerly waiting for the precious treasure that includes important holy scriptures, artefacts, thousands of historical books and collection part of the Sikh Reference Library and relics belonging to Sri Guru Sahib and other Sikh personalities.
Officials of the SGPC, considered a mini Parliament of Sikh religious affairs, say they have approached several Prime Ministers but there was no substantial action on returning the articles seized from the library during and after the Army action.
It had written to Prime Ministers Chandra Shekhar, V.P. Singh, I.K. Gujral and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
"We were told that either the library where they were kept was burnt to ashes or they was returned to the SGPC. But where are they now and to whom the possession was given," a senior SGPC functionary told IANS, requesting anonymity.
Then Defence Minister George Fernandes, in one of the communications to the SGPC, had said historical books and collection part of the Sikh Reference Library were handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation by the Army.
"He had advised us to contact the Ministry to which the CBI is accountable to and get the historical books and other collection back, but nothing happened," he said, adding "in fact, the central government ministries are deliberately lying since the issue is sensitive".
The SGPC, which has control over Sikh religious affairs, manages gurdwaras (Sikh temples) in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, including the holiest of Sikh shrines Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar.
More than 4,000 documents, several books besides gold and silver ornaments, precious stones, currency and coins were recovered by the security agencies during Operation Bluestar, a reply to a Right to Information (RTI) application of Gurvinder Singh Chadha said last year.
In the reply, the Ministry of Home Affairs said the articles and documents recovered were handed over either to the SGPC or the Punjab government.
But there was no detail about the items returned and to who they were handed over.
The police in its reply said when Operation Bluestar was carried out at that point in time the state was under military rule.
In another RTI reply to Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi on July 7, 2017, the Defence Minister said the Army "does not possess any manuscripts and other historical documents reportedly missing from the Golden Temple".
It said the manuscripts and other items were handed over to the state government and other agencies; but it did not mention any date of handing over.
Earlier, in reply to an RTI plea by Patiala MP Dharamvira Gandhi on July 7, the ministry said the manuscripts "were handed over to Mohan Singh, curator, museum, Punjab government".
"Other items were handed over to functionaries of SGPC; government treasurer, Amritsar; and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)," it added.
Interestingly, a former sub-inspector associated with the CBI surfaced and claimed that the seized material was shifted to an undisclosed location by the Army and CBI officials after the Operation Bluestar.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday issued a statement in Chandigarh accusing the Akali Dal of misleading the Sikhs.
It said the missing historic documents had been reportedly handed over to the SGPC by the Army in a phased manner, as per the records available, but were allegedly missing from the reference library since then.
It questioned the Badals as to why they were running away from a high-level probe into the missing documents amid allegations by their own party's senior leaders of selling them in crores.
The AAP demanded a CBI probe under the supervision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court and also asked the Union government to issue a white paper about the missing documents.
Operation Bluestar was a military action ordered by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to flush out militants led by Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale holed up in the Golden Temple complex.
The operation was carried out between June 1 and 8, 1984, and claimed several lives and left the shrine and complex damaged.
Challenging the ongoing investigation into the serial murders, Gitanjali has moved the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Cuttack. Claiming that her husband has been falsely implicated in the cases, she requested the Court to supervise and direct the CBI to probe it.
“CCTV footages of my husband’s presence in the village and in Bhubaneswar are available. Besides, we have also several other evidences to prove that he is innocent. Police have falsely implicated him after taking bribe,” alleged Gitanjali.
Narayan’s counsel Byomakesh Tripathy said, “We have evidences that Narayan Sahu was in his native village in Nayagarh district when the crimes took place in Cuttack. Even CCTV footages are also available to make this point clear. However, police allege that he was in Cuttack. Protesting this, my client's wife has requested the court today to supervise the case. We have also sought CBI probe into the matter to find out the real accused."
Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police had arrested Sahu, a resident of Sunamani in Odagaon of Nayagarh district on July 29 on charges of murdering three homeless persons in Cuttack within 24 hours on July 23.
Terming it as a pre-planned murder, Leader of Opposition Pradipta Naik today trained guns on the chairperson of the State Commission for Women and Jajpur Superintendent of Police (SP).“Instead of meeting the family members of the deceased, the Women Commission chairperson met the accused and concluded her probe. Similarly, the SP only reiterated statements of the accused by raking up the extra marital affair of the victim. We want Odisha government to take stern action against the accused," said Naik.
“Why the lady PEO went to the guest house which belongs to the local Sarpanch’s husband? Who took her there? If she committed suicide, then why her body was taken out in absence of police?” questioned Naik.
Addressing a presser, Naik demanded immediate dismissal of Jajpur SP and Chairperson of the State Commission for Women.
“The State government in the past has tried to suppress several heinous crimes in the name of crime branch inquiry. We are demanding a CBI probe into the lady PEO death. If the State government doesn’t recommend for CBI probe before the next Assembly session, we will not allow the House to run smoothly,” said Naik adding that a BJP delegation will also meet Prime Minister and Home Minister in this connection.
Citing data from the local tehsil office that the concerned guest house where Smitarani was found dead was evicted in March 2018, BJP questioned if the guest house was demolished, how it was operating till now? The district collector and revenue department need to come up with a clarification, Naik said.
Chairperson of Odisha State Commission for Women, Minati Behera on the other hand stated that already the commission has written to the Odisha DGP seeking a crime branch probe into the incident.
The members of Yours Hope Foundation staged a demonstration in Bhubaneswar and demanded for a CBI probe claiming that it is the only way to bring the truth out.
“Aditya was a social worker and was doing excellent work. He was a like a younger brother to me. As both his wife and friends are engaged in mudslinging, we sense some foul play in his death. Hence, we are demanding for a CBI probe,” said social activist, Rina Rani Nayak.
Aditya’s wife Bidyashree has demanded a detailed investigation into the exact reason behind her husband’s death.
“If my husband has committed suicide, police should investigate what were the reasons that drove him to such extreme. I personally don’t feel that he (Aditya) could end his life as he was mentally very strong. A fair investigation is required to ascertain what was troubling him,” said Bidyashree.
It is pertinent to mention here that the body of Aditya Dash was found on the railway tracks near Lingaraj Temple Station on Tuesday.
Though it is still unclear whether it is a case of suicide or murder, the entire incident took a new turn on Thursday after the Government Railway Police (GRP) registered a murder case in connection with the incident. The GRP registered the case after post-mortem report indicated that died due to grievious injury on his head.
The members of People For Seva, the charitable organisation founded by Aditya, had also lodged an FIR alleging murder. They had claimed that Aditya was receiving threats from criminals as he launched an anti- liquor agitation.
(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)
Also Read: Social Activist Aditya Dash Found Dead On Railway Tracks In Bhubaneswar
Members of the trust alleged that even after 45 days have passed, mysteries still shroud Dash’s death while the State probe agency has failed to find any headway into the death case.
“We don’t have faith on Crime Branch’s probe anymore. The probe agency has been investigating the case since last 14 days, but has failed to find any evidence. So the case now should be handed over to CBI,” Asish Das, a member of ‘People For Seva’ said.
Echoing the same, Manoj Singh, another member of the trust said, “Neither we have trust on Crime Branch, nor we ever trusted the GRP police. We demand an independent CBI probe into the matter.”
Earlier on July 30, the Director General of Odisha Police had ordered the Crime Branch to take over the investigation of Aditya Dash’s death case.
A three-member special team of the Crime Branch had already questioned Aditya’s wife Bidyashree and his parents. However, the investigation agency is yet to establish the reason behind the activist’s death.
Aditya’s mutilated body was found on railway tracks near Lingaraj Temple Road railway station in Bhubaneswar on July 7. Bhubaneswar GRP was investigating the case prior to its handover to Crime Branch.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
Also Read:
Aditya Dash Death Case: Crime Branch May Conduct Polygraph Test
Aditya Dash Death Case: NHRC Seeks ATR From Police Commissioner
Top CBI sources have reportedly told Republic Media Network that the family of Sushant Singh Rajput is suspecting murder. This comes after Sushant's father KK Singh and sister recorded a statement with the investigating agency on Monday.
The family suspects the death as murder "based on the evidence which has been tampered with and forensic evidence," sources said.
The CBI has already registered an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty, based on KK Singh’s complaint, and others, after the Centre accepted Bihar government’s recommendation for an investigation by the premier investigative agency.
Meanwhile, Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has shared a video demanding CBI probe into the death of Sushant - ahead of the Supreme Court hearing on the petition by Rhea Chakraborty seeking transfer of the FIR lodged by the family from Patna to Mumbai.
"We want CBI for Sushant Singh Rajput. We deserve to know the truth," says the actress in a video published by her verified Twitter team, which goes by the name of Team Kangana Ranaut.
Mumbai police wants to rush the probe, Sanjay Raut saying they are almost done with the investigation, we deserve to know the truth #CBIForSSR @republic #justiceforSushanthSinghRajput @shwetasinghkirt @anky1912 pic.twitter.com/2SV1AwaFx7
— Team Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) August 13, 2020
Rhea Chakraborty in her written submissions in the Sushant's death case told the SC on Thursday that the Patna FIR of July 25, could at best be regarded as a zero FIR and transferred to the Mumbai Police.
The Jalebi actress also insisted that Sushant's father has made baseless allegations against her. The SC has already reserved the verdict on Rhea's transfer plea.
On the other hand, actress Ankita Lokhande continues to stand by the family of her former boyfriend, Sushant and demands for a CBI probe.
Read More:
CDR Of Sushant Singh Rajput, Rhea Chakraborty & Friends Makes Big Revelation
The statement of KK Singh comes after some 'lawyers' claimed to be engaged by Sushant gave statements in media without the consent of the family.
Here's the full statement:
"It is hereby declared that I am on the legal heir of late Shri Sushant Singh Rajput and in that capacity any arrangement that Sushant had during his lifetime for the engagement of any lawyer, Chartered accountant and other professional came to an end upon the death of Sushant and thereafter no lawyer, CA or other person is entitled to represent the estate of Sushant without my express consent.
Recently, some lawyers have appeared in the media claiming themselves to be lawyers engaged by Sushant. They have talked on media about the alleged privileged communication between Sushant and them. Clearly such disclosure is barred by section 126 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 and the Bar Council of India Rules [Rule 17, Part VI, Chapter II], without my consent, as I am representing the estate of Sushant. I have not given any consent to anyone of them to either continue them to represent Sushant or disclose any communication.
It is is also made clear that only I and my daughters comprise the family of Sushant and we have authorized MR Varun Singh as our Advocate and through him Mr. Vikas Singh, Sr. advocate, to represent the family. Any other person claiming himself to be the family member does not have any consent."
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court today ordered CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. While hearing the plea, the apex court said the obstructions for the Bihar Police team in Mumbai while investigating the Patna FIR registered by the deceased's father should have been avoided as it gave rise to suspicion on the bonafides of the Mumbai Police's inquiry.
While many see it as the first step towards real justice, people from all walks of life including Sushant's family members, friends, Bollywood and TV celebrities hailed the SC decision for CBI probe.
The petition was filed by the father of the deceased, Laxmidhar Das and another RTI activist, Pratap Chandra Mohanty. Alleging that Mahakalpada MLA Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak and Kendrapara SP are influencing the ongoing probe into the case, the petitioners urged the court to bring them under the purview of the investigation.
State Home department Secretary, Director General of Police, Kendrapara Collector, SP, CBI, Inspectors In-Charge of Patkura and Marsaghai police stations have been made respondents in the case.
RTI activist Ranjan Das death case: Petition filed in Orissa High Court demanding CBI inquiry; petition filed by the father of the deceased & another RTI activist alleging involvement of Mahakalapara MLA in the case #Odisha
— OTV (@otvnews) October 1, 2020
"Das had exposed many corrupt activities involving the local MLA, ruling party, liquor mafia and in prawn farming. Therefore, we suspect that he was murdered. The case must be probed by the CBI," said petitioner, Pratap Mohanty.
RTI district coordinator, Das was found dead under mysterious circumstances near Beruhan village under Marshaghai Police limits on February 1.
Earlier, Congress had claimed that Das was murdered and demanded a Crime Branch probe into the matter. A nine-member fact-finding team of Odisha Congress had also visited the spot and met the family members of the deceased. The Congress representatives had expressed displeasure over claims by police that Das died in an ‘accident.’
(Edited By Bikram Jena)
Related Stories:
Kendrapara RTI Activist Death: Odisha Congress Demands Crime Branch Probe
Attacks On RTI Activists: Retired IAS Officers Write To Odisha CM
"I want CBI investigation into the abduction and murder of my daughter and death penalty for the culprit(s). I have doubts whether the SIT can probe the case properly and nab the killer(s). We are hopeful that an investigation by CBI will ensure justice to my daughter," said Pari's mother Soudamini.
Pari's father Ashok Sahu, an auto rickshaw driver by profession, also echoed the same reaction and demanded stringent punishment for the culprit(s).
"We are living in a state of shock since the death of our daughter. We want CBI probe and exemplary punishment. The Crime Branch and SIT are all under the control of Odisha government and we have doubts whether they will be able to deliver justice. The CBI probe should be conducted and the culprit(s) must be hanged to death," said Pari's father, who along with his wife had earlier attempted self-immolation in front of the State Assembly.
Meanwhile, the State government has initiated process for SIT probe into the gruesome murder case. Special Secretary to the government, Santosh Bala on Saturday informed the Registrar of Orissa High Court regarding formation of the probe panel. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh informed the State Assembly about the development on Saturday.
In the letter, the government stated that it has selected a panel of senior police officers headed by IPS Arun Bothra for the Special Investigation Team. The government has requested the Registrar to place the matter before the Chief Justice with a request to accord permission to monitor the investigation of the SIT by a sitting judge of the HC.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
In its memorandum, the BJP has also sought the expulsion of Minister Arun Sahoo for his alleged complicity in the case.
Leader of the Opposition, Pradipta Naik slammed Odisha government for its lackadaisical approach in the entire investigation of the Pari case so far. He also criticised the State government’s move to adjourn the Odisha Assembly sine die without proper discussion on the matter.
“The Assembly was dissolved by the Odisha government unconstitutionally. The ruling BJD does not allow the House to function whenever fingers are raised against the Chief Minister. We wanted a discussion on Pari murder case in the House but they (BJD) did not accept,” alleged Naik.
According to Naik, the skeletal remains of the girl was recovered almost 9 days after she went missing from near her residence. It appears that she was abducted before being killed at some other place and later dumped behind the backyard of her house at Jadupur village, he said.
“The Government doesn’t want the perpetrators of the brutal murder case to be booked. We suspect that the Government is shielding Minister Arun Sahoo as well Babuli Nayak, the prime accused in the case,” said Naik.
Deputy leader of the Opposition, Bishnu Sethi said, “The Governor is the guardian of the Constitution. We had created pandemonium in the House to raise the issue of children who are not safe in Odisha. At present more than 5000 children are missing.”
Earlier in the day, the activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) staged a demonstration on the Pari murder case and demanded immediate resignation of Minister Arun Sahoo.
The ABVP activists tried to gherao Minister Arun Sahoo’s residence when they were stopped by police. Over 50 workers of the outfit were taken into preventive custody.
'Pari' murder case: ABVP members stage protest in Bhubaneswar demanding resignation of minister Arun Sahoo; over 50 workers arrested while attempting to gherao Sahoo's residence #Odisha #PariMurderCase #JusticeForPari pic.twitter.com/tFjGDqXVh6
— OTV (@otvnews) December 1, 2020
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)
A division bench of Justice B R Sarangi and Justice Pramath Patnaik adjourned the hearing on two PILs after the SIT chief submitted a status report on the investigation into the case.
The two Public Interest Litigations, seeking the CBI inquiry into the case, were filed by an advocate Padmalaya Mohapatra and Bharatiya Vikash Parishad, a social organisation.
The five-year-old girl was kidnapped and murdered in July. The Odisha government ordered a high court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation keeping in view the gravity of the case and the failure by the police to make any headway even after five months since the incident.
The SIT has recently arrested a person, who is a resident of the victim's village, in connection with the case.
Meanwhile, senior IPS officer Arun Bothra, head of the SIT investigating the case, today clarified on the missing-bones claims and the doubts raised over the minor’s body decomposing in just a few days.
Apparently trying to clear the air, Bothra told reporters, “No bones of the deceased girl are missing. The post mortem report has no mention of any missing bone, and the doctors too have corroborated the same.”
“The towel, which Saroj used to clean blood stains after killing the 5-year-old girl has been sent to lab for testing. The accused had washed the towel several times but bloodstains were found. The towel and leggings are major evidence in the case,” the SIT chief told media persons.
What’s more shocking is the fact that the family of Saroj Sethi has now been accused of shielding him. Bothra stated that someone from his family knew about the crime and “we are trying to extract from them when exactly did they come to know about this.”
(With PTI Inputs)
Pradhan said the truth will come out if the state government hands over the case to the central agency.
"On the basis of the demand by the parents of the minor girl, the case should be handed over to the CBI for a fair probe," Pradhan said in Dhenkanal, where he addressed a farmers' rally.
He also said that there are allegations of the involvement of an organ racket in the case.
Like the Uttar Pradesh government, which handed over the Hatharas case to the CBI, the state government should also recommend a probe by the central agency, Pradhan said.
The minor girl's parents had attempted self-immolation in front of the state Assembly during the winter session on November 24.
They have been demanding a CBI probe into the death of their daughter. The parents accused state Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo of shielding Babuli Nayak, who, they alleged, had kidnapped and murdered their daughter as part of a kidney racket.
Notably, the minor went missing while playing near her house on July 13. Her skeletal remains stacked in a gunny bag were found in the backside of her house on July 23.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed by the state government has arrested one Saroj Sethy as the prime accused in the case.
The accused had tried to rape the minor girl after strangulating her to death inside his house, SIT chief Arun Bothra had informed mediapersons.
(IANS)
A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni said this was an “extraordinary” and “unprecedented” case that warranted an independent inquiry.
It directed the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) director to complete the preliminary inquiry within 15 days and then take a decision on further course of action.
The bench was presiding over three public interest litigations, including one filed by Singh himself, another by city-based lawyer Jayshree Patil, and the third by teacher Mohan Bhide, seeking various reliefs.
The bench disposed of all the three pleas.
On March 25, Singh filed a criminal public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe against Deshmukh, who he claimed asked police officers, including suspended cop Sachin Waze, to collect Rs 100 crore from bars and restaurants.
Thr minister has denied any wrongdoing.