Bhubaneswar: Intensifying its attack over the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl in Jaleswar, the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Saturday demanded that the case be handed over to the Crime Branch and announced an 8-hour bandh in Jaleswar on October 27.
Addressing a press conference, OPCC spokesperson Sudarsan Das said party president Bhakta Charan Das had formed a fact-finding team which visited Bartana village on October 22, met the victim’s family, locals and police officials, and submitted its report.
Citing the team’s findings, the he alleged serious lapses in the investigation, including attempts to conceal and destroy evidence, and suspected external influence to shield the accused. The party demanded a comprehensive probe to bring all involved to book and stringent action against erring police officials.
“Transfer is not a punishment. If negligence is proved, officers must face strict action,” the party said, urging the government to ensure a fair and impartial probe through the Crime Branch. OPCC spokesperson Manisha Dash Pattnaik described the crime as pre-planned and questioned the state government’s silence. She also demanded ex-gratia compensation for the bereaved family and a government job for one family member.
General Secretary Bank Bihari Behera said the bandh will be observed from 6 am to 2 pm on October 27 in the Jaleswar area. Essential services, railways and national highway traffic will be exempted. Torch rallies and public meetings will be held ahead of the bandh, he added.
