Bhubaneswar: In a major development in the abduction and murder of a 5-year-old girl in Nayagarh district, Minister of State for Home Dibya Shankar Mishra today informed the Assembly that the case has been handed over to the State Crime Branch for further investigation.
READ | Pari Murder Case: Kingpin Involved In Kidnapping Children For Organ Trade, Alleges Victim’s Father
Making his statement with regard to the investigation so far, Dibya Shankar Mishra informed the House, "The victim's father from Jadupur village in Nayagarh, had lodged a complaint after the girl went missing on July 14, 2020. A case was registered on the same day. With the help of VHF waves and sniffer dogs, on July 23, the skeletal remains of the victim stuffed in a bag were traced in the backyard of their house."
"Circumstantial evidence points out that the minor girl was kidnapped and murdered. The remains of the body were then sent to Cuttack SCB for an autopsy. Post mortem reports revealed that the girl was 5-6 year old but there was no evidence to prove that she was raped before being murdered. Later a DNA test was also conducted to confirm that the victim is the daughter of the complainant," the minister said.
"In the course of the investigation, Police have so far interrogated 34 persons. This apart, lie detector (polygraph) test was conducted on four persons to extract more details. Nayagarh SDPO is currently investigating the matter," Mishra informed the House.
The Assembly Speaker had issued a ruling on Tuesday directing the MoS (Home) to put forth his statement in the House following sharp criticism by the legislators of the Opposition BJP and Congress who raised four pertinent issues in this regard.
- How could Pari's parents manage to enter the security zone of the Odisha Assembly?
- How did the couple attempt self-immolation by pouring kerosene on themselves in the security zone?
- Why has Nayagarh Police not investigated the case despite the fact that a complaint was lodged immediately after the incident?
- A minister is named in the complaint which alleged his involvement in the murder case. He should issue a statement in this connection.
Meanwhile, minister Arun Sahoo who was accused of shielding the accused is under scanner after an audio clip of the purported conversation between him and Sarpanch of Lakshmiprasad panchayat, Soumya Ranjan Pradhan went viral.
READ | Was Pari Murdered For Her Organs? Couple Accuses Odisha Minister Arun Sahoo Of Shielding Killers