Kendrapara: Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) chairperson Sandhyabati Pradhan on Tuesday visited a Mahila Samiti in Kendrapara district and inquired into the sexual exploitation of a woman worker.
The woman worker, a house keeper, was allegedly repeatedly raped by a relative of the president of the Lutheran Mahila Samiti at Patalipanka. The victim got pregnant due to the sexual abuse and delivered a baby boy recently.
OSCPCR chief visited a correctional home, a child care institute and an old age home run by the Mahila Samiti and inquired about the sexual exploitation case for about seven hours. She termed incident shameful and unfortunate.
“On the basis of the complaint, we inquired into the matter today. The allegations are highly sensitive and unfortunate. If such incident occurs in an institution, it is a matter of grave concern. We are inquiring it from all angles,” Pradhan said.
Speaking about the incident, Secretary of Lutheran Mahila Samiti Minarani Bhuyan said, “When the victim had complained to us, we had immediately approached Marsaghai police station to lodge an FIR. But the IIC turned down our complaint.”
Meanwhile, the State Progressive Women’s Forum threatened to launch a massive protest if a fair probe is not conducted into the matter and justice delivered to the victim.
“We request both the State government and the OSCPCR to ensure justice to the victim and her child,” said Mamata Samantray, chairperson, State Progressive Women’s Forum.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)