Pihu missing case: Mother stages sit-in for indefinite period

Mother of a toddler named Pihu, who had gone missing while playing outside her house at Madhusudanpur under Binjharpur police limits two years back, staged a sit-in outside the office of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) for indefinite period demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into it.

Even two years after the incident, Pihu’s whereabouts are yet to be traced, sources said.

According to Pihu’s mother Monalisa Nayak, she had written to SCPCR Commissioner on August 29 urging it to initiate a CBI inquiry into it. She had even warned to stage a dharna if the CBI is not directed to probe within 15 days but in vain. 

Resenting sluggish police investigation, she questioned the government as to why CBI investigation is not launched into her daughter’s missing case.  

Also, she accused Inspector In-Charge (IIC) of Binjharpur police station and investigating officer of not paying attention to the case despite her repeated requests.  She asked the government to clarify why action is not taken against the IIC and the investigating officer.

Though the state government and police had assured to find out the complainant’s daughter, both parties have failed to keep their words. She had written to the President of India through the District Collector seeking permission for euthanasia, sources said.

Meanwhile, SCPCR Commissioner Sandhyabati Pradhan pacified irate Monalisa saying ‘Your letter pertaining to CBI inquiry has been forwarded to the Chief Minister’s Office.”

It is pertinent to note that Pihu had gone missing on August 8, 2020 and a case was filed in this connection. Though she staged protests several times and even approached the Orissa Human Rights Commission, it was of no use.