The Orissa High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to submit detailed information on the steps taken on recommendations of National Commission for Women (NCW) in the rape and murder of a 14-year-old blind girl on the Puri-Konark Marine Drive in June this year.
The division bench of Chief Justice AK Goel and Justice AK Ratha instructed the Government advocate to produce the details by next date of hearing. Acting on two writ petitions filed by social activist Sashiprava Bindhani and City-based Maitree Sansad, the High Court had earlier asked the Government to produce the case diary and status report on investigation into the case.
The Government on Thursday produced the case dairy, submitting that investigation is over and chargesheet has been filed against the accused Banamali Barik of Kalika village under Chandanpur police limits of Puri district.The incident had taken place on the night of June 5. The victim’s father had lodged a police complaint as the girl was missing and pointing suspicion towards Banamali. The body of the girl was found subsequently in the jungle near Toshali Bazaar on the Marine Drive and the accused was arrested on June 8. On the other hand, the petitioners submitted that the Government had failed to comply with the recommendations of NCW. The NCW had suggested investigation by a special investigation team (SIT), which should complete the probe in 60 days. It had also recommended trial in a fast track court.
The Commission had directed the Government to form a Special Women’s Protection Force specifically for Puri for 24-hour patrolling on Marine Drive, security of women in the beach and the pilgrim city. It had also pressed for opening a women’s police station in Puri and augmentation of women security personnel at railway station.