SC says no to CBI probe into Itishree murder case

The apex court has, however, directed the Odisha govt to initiate stringent action against the delinquent officials

The Supreme Court (SC) has refused to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe the murder case of Tikiri lady teacher, Itishree Pradhan.

The apex court has, however, directed the Odisha government to initiate stringent action against the delinquent officials. Acting on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed to seek CBI enquiry into the case, the apex court had completed hearing in the case on March 5 and reserved its verdict.

While the state government had ordered a probe by the Crime Branch, a Bangalore-based law student had filed PIL in the SC, pressing for an enquiry by an independent agency like CBI. In the PIL, the law student alleged that powerful politicians from Rayagada district were involved in the case. In its defence, the state government’s counsel argued that conduct of a thorough probe by the Crime Branch and filing of charge sheet against the prime accused obviated the need for a CBI enquiry.

In October last year, some unidentified miscreants had set afire Itishree, teacher at Tikiri primary school in Rayagada district. Itishree who sustained severe burn injuries was admitted to the Rayagada hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Visakhapatanam, where she succumbed to the injuries.

The state government had sacked sub-inspector of schools, Netrananda Dandasena, deputy inspector of schools, Dharanidhar Behera, inspector in charge (IIC) of Tikiri police station Sujit Kumar Sai and assistant sub-inspector of police, Muralidhar Pradhan in connection with the murder case. The Crime Branch had filed chargesheet against Dandasena, the prime accused in the case.