The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has announced a reward of Rs one lakh for information on Sidharth Patra, one of the accused in the sensational Balasore sex scandal. Patra, who is at large since 2011, too has been declared a proclaimed offender by a CBI court.
The case dates back to 1999 when a girl student of KKS Womens’ College, Balasore, was allegedly molested and rape attempt was made on her in an apartment in Bhubaneswar on July 9. She was allegedly taken to the apartment by Prabasini Kar, a physical training instructor of the college who was accused of exploiting girls of the district on the pretext of providing them jobs. Patra was accused of criminal conspiracy and charged under Sections 120B, 506 and 201 of Indian Penal Code. He is absconding since September 28, 2001 and the Court of Special Chief Judicial Magistrate (CBI), Bhubaneswar issued warrants of arrest against him. The investigating agency made efforts to apprehend him but in vain.
After requests were made, the CBI headquarter has announced a reward of ` one lakh for people providing information leading to apprehension of Patra. He has been declared a proclaimed offender by the court.