Bhubaneswar Minor 'Gang Rape' Case: Odisha DGP Appears Before HC Via Video Conferencing, Submits Status Report

Cuttack: The Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay on Wednesday appeared before the Orissa High Court via video conferencing in connection with the Bhubaneswar minor 'gang rape' case.

According to sources, though the DGP submitted an affidavit and status report on the investigation into the case, the court expressed its displeasure over the progress in the investigation into the matter.

The court has scheduled the next hearing of the matter on December 16.

Earlier on November 9, the Orissa High Court had directed Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay to appear personally during the next hearing of the case.

The court while hearing the case had expressed its displeasure over the status report submitted by the Crime Branch and directed the State police chief to file an affidavit during his personal appearance on November 18.

“After hearing the arguments of the public prosecutors and our contention, the court directed the DGP to make personal appearance,” Gopal Prasad Jena, advocate of the Bharatiya Bikash Parishad, one of the petitioners had said.

Notably on  August 30, the mother of the survivor had lodged a formal police complaint with the Mahila police station. In her complaint, she had alleged the involvement of some employees of a media house and police personnel.

Twin city Police Commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi had categorically refused to divulge the names of the accused police personnel citing that the disclosure of the name/s could hamper the probe.

The case was later taken over by the Crime Branch on October 6 and as per the court’s direction, an SP-rank officer is conducting the probe into the case.