Pari murder case: Convict Saroj Sethi moves Orissa HC, challenges sentence 

Saroj Sethi, the accused in the sensational Pari murder case in Nayagarh, moved the Orissa High Court on Tuesday, challenging the recent verdict of the Nayagarh sessions court.  

It may be noted here that after four years of the incident, the Nayagarh POCSO court convicted the accused and sentenced him to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment.  

On July 14, 2020, five-year-old Pari was allegedly abducted, raped and killed. The incident created outrage across the state while it was alleged that the close aide of a minister of the Odisha government and leader from the district was linked to the case. 

Also Read | Pari rape and murder case: Accused sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment; victim's family not happy over judgment

On February 7, 2024, the Odisha Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes over the issue of the Pari murder case and the court verdict. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik stated in the House that the Pari murder incident was a sensitive case and the Opposition parties were only doing cheap politics over the incident. 

He had said that the accused was awarded a punishment and that the opposition should not do politics over the development and the crime.

(By OdishaTV Bureau)