Kunduli incident: HC directs Odisha govt to file response

Cuttack: While hearing a petition seeking probe by a central agency into the gang rape and subsequent suicide of the school girl in Kunduli of Koraput district, the Orissa High Court on Thursday directed the State government to file a response by May 10.

The petition seeking a probe by CBI or NIA was filed by the brother of the Kunduli victim and former MP Kharavela Swain.

"A rejoinder was filed today. The court has taken up the matter seriously as a girl committed suicide or was forced to commit suicide and it will be listed for hearing on May 15," said petitioners' advocate Gautam Siddique.

"The Orissa High Court will hear all the petitions together. The court has directed Odisha Government to file its reply in the matter," said Kharavela Swain's Counsel, Pitamber Acharya.