Kunduli Gang Rape & Suicide: Probe Panel Questions Role of Victim's Family

Bhubaneswar: The probe report of the Commission of Inquiry on Kunduli gang rape & suicide case, which was tabled in the Odisha Assembly today by Minister of State for Home Department, Dibya Shankar Mishra, questioned the role of the victim's family members and political parties, while terming the whole case a mystery that will require further probe.

The probe panel questioned the role of victim's family, saying that they were not satisfied with the investigation due to reasons best known to them and instead of being cooperative, they levelled frivolous allegations.

The report also mentioned that political parties should behave responsibly. Despite several cases of sexual assault on minor girls, political leaders have never shown such concern like they have shown in the present incident.

“The victim girl could have been the best person to have said that why she made such false accusations & why she committed suicide. The exact cause is a mystery & will remain so unless unearthed by making further investigation,” the report said.

The commission, in its report has recommended that the identity of the victim should be kept hidden while progress of the probe should not be disclosed to media before its completion. Apart from that, it has also suggested that statue of the victim should be removed from Kunduli chhak in Koraput district as it may affect the locals.

Responding to the observations, the victim's aunt said to OTV, "We completely cooperated in the probe and our only demand is that culprits should be punished. To get justice, we had launched protests & how could we have said no to political leaders who wanted to support us in our fight."

The Orissa High Court on Friday had directed the State government to complete the probe and submit its report within four weeks.

Hearing a petition filed by senior BJP leader Kharbela Swain, the top court of Odisha also suggested the State government to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) consisting of Central and State probe agencies to investigate the case if the inquiry report is not satisfactory.

The court has fixed September 4 as the next date of hearing.

Meanwhile, Congress legislature party leader Narasingha Mishra said that SIT probe under supervision of Orissa High Court into Kunduli gang rape & suicide case will reveal the truth.

Government chief whip Pramila Mallick said, “As Commission has been set up to probe the incident, there is no need for probe by any other agency.”