Sharmili Mallick

After the NCPCR directive to probe allegations of sexual exploitation of the minors in the school's ladies hostel, the Bolangir police have swung into action.

As per sources said, Bolangir Police summoned two girl inmates of room number 20 for questioning. Sources further added that the two inmates of Room Number-20 were close to deceased school teacher Mamita Meher. 

Earlier on Saturday,  a team of Bolangir Police led by Northern Range DIG Deepak Kumar and SP Kausalkar Nitin Dagudu had visited the hostel and questioned the inmates and conducted searches in the room.

With the police investigation having been focussed on Room No 20, the plot around Room Number- 20 at the ladies hostel of Sunshine English High School at Mahaling in Kalahandi district thickens.

The police team finding a different door lock on room number-20 vis-a-vis other rooms of the hostel adds more to the plot.

As per the talks doing round, Gobinda Sahu, the prime accused in the Mamita murder , had gone to the room multiple times between October 8 and October 13. The multiple room tours by the key accused fuel the suspicion that Sahu might have cut open the old lock to destroy evidence and put a new lock thereafter.

From day one, several political parties, social organisations and local residents of Kalahandi-Bolangir have been alleging that a sex racket was being operated in the school’s ladies hostel premises, and the girl students, the female staff there were sexually harassed by Sahu.

There are also allegations that the Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra used to visit the girls hostel frequently .

Earlier in the day, Sahu was sent to Kantabanji Jail after his five-day remand period ended on Sunday. Sahu was produced at Bangomunda SDJM Court at 7 am following which he was sent to judicial custody after his bail plea was rejected by the court.

“Sahu has been booked under Sections 366, 302, 201 and 120 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Police can also pray the court to take him on remand for further interrogation, if the need arise,” said Basudev Ray, public prosecutor.
 

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