CUTTACK: The case of the alleged Pipili gang-rape victim took a new turn on Sunday when the family members of the girl showed open disinclination towards her shifting to the AIIMS, New Delhi, from the SCB Medical here.
The high-level doctors committee had recommended her shifting to AIIMS for more advanced tests as positron emission tomography (PET) scanning to detect functional abnormalities in the brain, a diagnostic utility that is not available in the State. The SCB authorities had apprised the State Government of the necessity of shifting her to AIIMS where her condition could be diagnosed more precisely and given advanced treatment. Accordingly, arrangements were made for flying her to Delhi on Sunday.
“We had discussed her case with the AIIMS experts including the Director and had got a bed reserved for her. The Principal Resident Commissioner had made arrangements for accommodation of her attendants and family members at the Orissa Bhawan in the National Capital. The Government has already announced to bear all expenses on her treatment and the attendants. But the family members were refused to give consent,” SCBMCH superintendent Prof DN Moharana said.
The alleged victim girl is being attended by her brother here. He was approached by the hospital authorities for permission but he asked them to contact his father Kabuli Behera at their village Arjunagoda in Pipili Block of Puri district. The authorities then dispatched a special messenger with the help of the Puri Collector to the village. “Kabuli Behera was approached for his consent to his daughter’s shifting to AIIMS. But he flatly denied,” Prof Moharana said.
As the issue stands now, the victim girl will still be under treatment at SCBMCH under the care and monitoring of the doctors committee comprising heads of around seven clinical disciplines. The SCBMCH authorities are also set to submit a status report on her condition in the Orissa High Court on Monday.