Bhubaneswar: While opposition parties continue to direct their ire against the ruling BJD in connection with the gang rape and subsequent suicide of the Kunduli girl, a case was filed against 11 persons at the District & Sessions Judge Court, Koraput today. Moreover, a PIL was also filed in the Orissa High Court in connection with the case today.
Earlier today, BJP Mahila Morcha barged into the office of the State Commission for Women in Bhubaneswar and ransacked the premises protesting inaction in Kunduli suicide. They alleged that the women’s commission is working for the BJD. They broke window panes of the office building and hung bangles on the wall as a mark of protest.
BJP spokesperson Lekhashree Samantsinghar alleged that, "The Mahila Commission is trying to hide the details of the Kunduli gang rape case. Let alone providing security and justice to women, the commission has not spoken a single word of condolence till date.”
On the other hand BJD refuted the allegations saying the Commission is doing its work properly. "The Mahila Commission has never sat silently. The inexperienced people who always see an issue through the glasses of politics are making such allegations," said Women & Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal.
On the other hand, senior Congress leaders Pradeep Majhi and Tara Prasad Bahinipati along with various other leaders attended the 11th day ritual of the deceased gang rape victim in Kunduli today and paid their tributes. Later in the day, they inaugurated a 2.5 feet high statue of the victim girl at Kunduli market. BJP leader Jayaram Pangi also paid his tributes to the girl but stayed away from the statue unveiling event.
"The fight she fought against the administration and the government for nearly 100 days will be the foundation of our struggle. Therefore her statue was inaugurated today," said Majhi.
"Our party will continue the protest till the truth is exposed. We will continue to demand a CBI probe of the case," said Pangi.
However, the BJD alleged that the opposition is trying to politicise the event. "Gang rape is a social evil and the way it is being politicised is unfortunate," said party spokesperson, Rabi Narayan Nanda.
While a complaint case against 11 persons including South-Western DIG S Saini, Koraput SP Kanwar Vishal Singh and Inspector-in-Charge of Pottangi police station has been filed by the brother of the Kunduli gang rape victim in the Court of the Koraput District & Sessions Judge, six persons, including the Chief Secretary, Home Department Secretary and DGP have been made parties in a PIL filed in Orissa High Court today by former MP Kharvela Swain seeking a CBI probe into the gang rape and suicide case.
"At a time when the administration did not provide justice, the family will be grateful if the court provides them. A case has been filed against 11 persons who all are government officials," said the petitioner’s advocate Haldhar Sethi.