Cong criticises BJD's decision on SIT probe into Kunduli rape

The Congress today stepped up its stir against the BJD government in Odisha over the alleged gang rape and suicide of a minor girl in Koraput, demanding a CBI probe into the matter.
Congress workers also tried to gherao Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's residence, police said, adding that the demonstrators were stopped by the police and prevented from proceeding to the CM's house, Naveen Niwas.
A large number of party workers, mostly from its youth wing, led by Odisha Pradesh Congress Commitee (OPCC) president Prasad Harichandan, marched towards Naveen Niwas, the police said.
Harichandan claimed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe ordered into the gang rape and suicide case was an eyewash.

"The rape survivor was in a state of depression following constant mental torture and tremendous pressure from the police," Harichandan alleged.
He also held the chief minister responsible for the suicide of the 14-year-old girl and alleged she had taken her life because of the "shoddy" probe into the gang rape case.

Asserting that the party would intensify its fight for justice for the minor girl, besides ensuring safety and security of all women and girls, the PCC chief claimed the minor was forced to end her life because the state government had tried to shield the accused in the gang rape case.

Another senior Congress leader and former MP Pradip Majhi alleged the state government was "direction-less" in handling the episode.
He also called the SIT probe announced by the chief minister an eyewash and said the state government had no faith in its own probe agencies.
After initiating an inquiry by the state police, it asked the Crime Branch to probe the case, Majhi said.
When the Crime Branch probe was in progress, the government ordered a judiciary inquiry and now it has announced an SIT probe, he said.
This showed the government was confused, Majhi added.
Demanding a CBI probe into the episode, the Congress leader said the SIT probe would not yield results because the state government had tried its best to suppress the matter from the very beginning.

The 14-year-old girl of Musaguda village was allegedly raped near Kunduli by four men in uniform on October 10 last year and is believed to have ended her life in her house on January 22 this year.
The state government, which ordered the SIT probe into the alleged gang rape and suicide case yesterday, has urged the Orissa High Court to engage a sitting judge to monitor the investigation.