Cuttack: In a key development in the investigation into the death of a girl student at FM College, Balasore, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday ruled that there is no need to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter at this stage.
The observation was made while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in connection with the case. After examining the status report submitted by the Crime Branch, the court noted that it was satisfied with the progress of the investigation.
During the hearing, the High Court also issued notices to both the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Congress for allegedly disrupting public life through protest strikes following the incident.
Meanwhile, the Crime Branch continues its investigation. On Tuesday, officers visited FM College once again and interrogated the in-charge officials and staff members to gather further information. The team also conducted measurements at the spot where the victim was found with severe burn injuries and examined CCTV footage from the surrounding areas for clues.
This comes a day after the investigating team conducted an extensive three-hour questioning session with college staff, aiming to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the tragic incident.
The court’s refusal to involve an SIT indicates confidence in the current line of investigation, even as the case continues to evoke strong political and public reactions across the state.
