NCW tears into state government for failing to act in rape case

As the Naveen Patnaik Government finds itself in a mess over deteriorating law and order situation, the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Thursday tore into it for failing to act in rape and murder of the 14-year-old blind girl along Konark-Puri Marine drive of Puri in June last.

In its inquiry report, the Commission said the Government has been so callous that it has not so far initiated a serious inquiry into the incident despite the sensitive nature of it. While the incident was as grim as the Delhi gangrape case, the NCW said its investigation has been left to the local police station.

“Even the Supreme Court guidelines for conducting rape investigation by an expert women police officer under supervision of an ACP ranked officer with active participation of forensic experts has been thrown to the wind by the State Government,” the Commission said and sought that probe be handed over to a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

The Commission said the SIT should be headed by a DCP ranked officer and must complete investigation within 60 days.

Though the Odisha Government has declared that all rape investigations must be completed within 60 days, the inquiry report said the police have failed to acquire a DNA test report of the swabs collected from the victim’s body which is a minimal requirement in rape investigation to ascertain the number of persons involved.

The action taken report filed with the inquiry committee on July 23 has no opinion of any scientific investigation into the sensational incident.

The NCW slammed the police for producing a small intestine separately in a polythene bag claiming it to be the victim’s organ.

The post mortem report though states otherwise and says the organ does not belong to the victim since her small intestine is continuous.

The mysterious angle, the Commission said, is intriguing.The woman’s panel slammed the State Government for announcing ` 10,000 as compensation to the victim’s family which they have submitted in writing. “Does the Government think ` 10,000 is enough as interim relief in such a case,” the report wondered and sought the compensation to be hiked to ` 10 lakh.

The Commission, which made a series of recommendations, also called for fast track trial and appointment of a special public prosecutor. It also called for a Special Women Protection Force in Puri since such incidents are giving a bad name to the pilgrim town. It should consist of personnel of para-military force.

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