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Rayagada: A 9-member team of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials arrived at Tikiri in the district today to begin probe into the murder of Itishree Pradhan, who worked as a teacher in Upper Primary School there.
Seven members of the team led by inspector R.D. Sharma reached from Delhi yesterday while two other sleuths from the agency’s Bhubaneswar office joined them today.
While hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) in this regard, the Supreme Court had ordered the CBI to probe into the mysterious immolation of the woman teacher inside the school premises.
Itishree had lodged a complaint with the local police on July 18, 2013, accusing her headmaster Dandasena of sexual misconduct, but no action was taken. She then approached the district collector on August 5, 2013, demanding action against Dandasena and seeking adequate protection.
She also approached the DGP and even the chief minister in addition to the State Women Commission, through written requests. But for over two months, absolutely no action was taken on her representations, including the request for her transfer to another place.
On October 27, 2013, the victim was set ablaze by some unidentified persons while she was sleeping in her room inside the school premises. On November 1, 2013, she succumbed to the burn injuries at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam.
In her dying declaration, she had pointed fingers towards powerful politicians and others for her condition. Though State police investigated into the matter and suspended Dandasena for ‘dereliction of duty’, the apex court was not happy with the probe and directed for a CBI probe.
