TV
The Odisha Police on Thursday transferred an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) to facilitate a transparent investigation into allegations made by the father of a self-immolation victim, who claimed the officer had earlier refused to register an FIR concerning threats made by his daughter’s ex-boyfriend to upload her intimate photos on social media.
A 19-year-old college student died by self-immolation at her residence in Kendrapara district on Wednesday. Her father alleged that the police’s failure to act on his complaint six months ago contributed to his daughter's tragic decision.
Kendrapara Superintendent of Police Siddharth Kataria confirmed that Assistant Sub-Inspector Sailendra Mohan Palei was transferred from Pattamundai (Rural) police station to the police district headquarters to ensure impartiality in the inquiry into the father's allegation.
Stating that he was personally overseeing the investigation into the student’s death, the SP said, "As per the preliminary investigation, it appears to be a suicide case. The body has been sent to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack for a proper inquest. The entire process would be videographed and the post-mortem examination will be carried out in the presence of a magistrate as per the law."
The victim’s father said on Wednesday that he had approached Pattamundai (Rural) police station nearly six months ago to lodge a complaint regarding the ex-boyfriend’s threats, but ASI Palei allegedly advised him to simply block the accused’s number.
ASI Palei, however, denied the accusation.
"I did not receive any FIR, and the woman's father had never come to our police station. I never suggested anyone block any phone number," he claimed, as per PTI.
SP Kataria reiterated that the police were treating the father's claims seriously and that a full investigation would be carried out.
Meanwhile, the police have registered an unnatural death case suo motu at Pattamundai (Rural) police station as the family has yet to file a formal complaint.
"The family may file a fresh FIR after cremation rituals," a police officer said.
This marks the third case of a woman dying from burn injuries in Odisha since July 12.
A 20-year-old student of FM College in Balasore had immolated herself on campus on July 12 and succumbed to her injuries two days later while receiving treatment at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar.
In a separate incident, a 15-year-old girl from the Balanga area of Puri district died from burn injuries on August 2. While her mother alleged that three unidentified individuals had set her on fire, the police stated no other persons were involved.
These incidents have sparked political controversy in the state, with the Opposition criticising the BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the recurring cases.
