Pradeep Singh

Bhubaneswar/Jajpur: After MoS Home, Dibyashankar Mishra clarified in Odisha Assembly that Haridaspur lady PEO Smitarani Biswal committed suicide and her death occurred due to asphyxiation, father of the victim reiterated that her daughter was murdered while accusing the entire administration of deliberately trying to hide the truth.

The second day of winter session of the Odisha Assembly begun on a stormy note as the Opposition continued to create pandemonium over probe into the death of PEO Smitarani Biswal. Amid the uproar, Mishra said the autopsy report confirmed that Smitarani committed suicide and Rupesh Bhadra was arrested based on evidences against him.

However, speaking to OTV, Smitarani's father, Sadananda Biswal alleged faulty investigation at the behest of vested interests to give a different colour to her daughter's death in a bid to save the actual culprits.

"My daughter did not commit suicide, but she was murdered and hanged. But if the Home minister, who neither visited the spot nor did inquire from me about the incident, is claiming that my daughter took her own life, what can I say? They have the power, they can say whatever they want," said Sadananda.

He further said, "The chairperson of State Commission for Women completed the probe even without meeting me. The SP also irresponsibly raised questions on my daughter's character.”

“How did the SP know about my daughter's character? Had he ever met her or did he ask me about her? I am not satisfied with this type of investigation,” said Sadananda while demanding a CBI probe into the death of his daughter.

“I fear for my life because if they can prove that my daughter committed suicide when she was actually murdered, they can also kill me & claim that I took my life," he added.

Earlier, Leader of Opposition (LoP) and BJP MLA, Pradipta Naik demanded a motion to be brought under Rule 111 and a discussion to be held on the lady PEO’s death on a priority basis in the Odisha Assembly.

Alleging that some BJD leaders are involved in the death of Smitarani, Congress also moved an adjournment motion over the matter in the Assembly. Besides, senior Congress leader Narasingha Mishra raised concerns over the silence of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the matter.

Responding to the Opposition's allegations, the ruling-BJD leader Pramila Mallick said, "In the name of CBI inquiry, they (BJP and Congress) are trying to linger the issue. Actually, they lack the intent and don't want the victim to get justice."

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