Kunduli Gang Rape case: Third phase of hearing begins

Kunduli: Four persons today deposed before Koraput District & Sessions Judge – cum – Commissioner Bidyut Kumar Mishra in the 3rd phase hearing of Kunduli gang rape and suicide case.

Dr. Akankhya Tripathy, District Child Protection official, Rajashree Das, Live Foundation NGO worker Sujata Nayak, District Homeguard DSP Kishore Chandra Das testified before Mishra.

Family members of the victim and members of some NGOs are yet to depose before the Commission of Inquiry even as the last date of the hearing ends on June 25, informed sources.

They could be given notice later, informed Independent Councillor Prabhakar Patnaik.

On May 20, Crime Branch DSP Saubhagya Laxmi Patnaik and former Inspector-In-Charge (IIC) of Jeypore police station Tapan Narayan Rath deposed before the District and Sessions Judge in Jeypore of Koraput district in connection with the case.

The Commission of Inquiry set up to probe the case had started its hearing on May 13. IIC of Pottangi police station Deb Kumar Gamang and Inspector of Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) Mamata Panigrahi had deposed before the court on the day.

The minor girl, on October 10, 2017, had alleged that four “persons in uniform” gang raped her. Following public outcry, the case was first investigated by the police and later handed over to the Crime Branch.

On November 6, 2017, Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) ADG, Mahendra Pratap revealed that the victim was not raped. Amid all the hue and cry, the minor girl hanged herself to death at her house on January 22.

Later on February 7, the Chief Minister ordered a judicial probe into the incident. Initially the Commission was asked to submit its report within three months. However after its tenure expired on March 25, 2018, the Home Department on March 26, 2018, extended the Commission’s tenure by three months.

Image source: ecourts.gov.in