Oppn demands CBI inquiry into murder of Tikiri lady teacher

Congress today demanded a CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) inquiry into the alleged murder of the lady teacher Itishree Pradhan posted at Tikiri upper primary school in Rayagada district.

Participating in the discussion on an adjournment motion on the issue in the state assembly, Congress chief whip, Prasad Harichandan said, "The case should be handed over to the CBI and Chief Minister should come under the purview of the investigation."

He also urged the state government to start a national level bravery award in the name of the lady teacher Itishree. An unknown miscreant on October 27 night set the lady teacher on fire after which she was rushed to a private hospital in Andhra Pradesh where she died on November 1.

Replying on the adjournment motion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked the opposition parties not to trivialise the matter. "I would like to state that this is a very serious issue and opposition parties should not trivialise it for narrow political gains," Patnaik said.

He said, four officers, including the accused, have been dismissed from service for dereliction of duty.

"Very rarely such a strong action like dismissing four officers under article 311 (2)(b) of the Constitution of India, is resorted to, anywhere in the country in such matters. If the outcome of the investigation reveals any laxity or involvement of any other public servant, irrespective of rank or level, the government will take appropriate action," he stated.

It may be noted that the investigating officer, Muralidhar Pradhan and inspector Sujit Kumar Say were dismissed from the service by the government for dereliction of duty and Dharanidhar Behera, block education officer and sub-inspector of school Netrananda Dandasena, has been dismissed from service.