BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Monday demanded an independent probe by a Central agency into the death of an auto-driver who was found hanging at the official residence of former minister and Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallick on Sunday.
While talking to mediapersons, OPCC vice-president Sarat Rout alleged that persons with criminal antecedents are taking shelter at Government quarters of ruling party leaders in the Capital City.
Referring to the death of the auto-driver Surendra Routray, who was known to Mallick for the last 10 years, Rout said there is a possibility that he could have been murdered. Rout accused the Government of shielding criminals and using their ‘services’ during election. “Though the Home portfolio is with the Chief Minister, law and order situation in the State has worsened in the recent past,” he said.
In a similar incident in April 2006, body of a 35-year-old man was retrieved from the official quarters of BJD MLA Arun Sahoo, who is presently serving as the Law Minister.
“Though the case was handed over to the Crime Branch, no update about the progress of the same has ever been provided,” Rout added.