Kunduli gang rape case: Home Secy, DGP appear before NCSC

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Home Secretary Asit Tripathy, Director General of Police (DGP) Dr Rajendra Prasad Sharma, Crime Branch IG Arun Bothra on Tuesday appeared before the National Commission for Scheduled Castes in New Delhi in connection with the rape and suicide of a minor girl at Kunduli in Koraput district.

Koraput Collector, Superintendent of Police (SP) and petitioner and Koraput MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria were also present during the hearing.

Earlier on April 20, the NCSC issued summons for personal appearance of the Koraput district Collector and SP in connection with the Kunduli rape and subsequent suicide of a minor girl, said sources.

The top officials were asked to appear in person before the NCSC Chairman Dr Ram Chandra Katheria at 1 pm on April 24. However, they did not turn up.

The summons came after Dr Yogendra Paswan submitted a detailed report to the commission chairperson Ram Shankar Khateria.

Notably, during its visit NCSC member Dr Yogendra Paswan said the state government should order a CBI inquiry into the Kunduli gang-rape and suicide on the basis of demand by the victim’s family.

The NCSC members had visited the victim’s native at Musaguda village under Pottangi police limits in Koraput district to inquire into the incident. They also met the victim’s family members.

The 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang raped by four men in uniform on October 10 while she was returning from the local market. On January 22, the victim committed suicide, a month after medical reports ruled out rape.