Odisha orders admin probe into death of lady teacher

Complying with Supreme Court's direction, the Odisha government today ordered an administrative probe into the murder of a lady teacher who was set on fire for refusing to withdraw a case of molestation against her senior.
"We have ordered a probe into the setting ablaze of the lady teacher at Tikiri in Rayagada district last year," a senior home department official said.
In a letter to Agriculture Secretary, Rajesh Verma, Home Secretary, Vipin Saxena said the probe must look into different aspects of the case.
The final report was expected within 14 weeks, sources said.
Earlier, while refusing to direct a CBI probe into the murder, the apex court had directed the state government to take action.

Acting on a PIL seeking a CBI enquiry into the case, the apex court had completed hearing on March 5.

Though the state government had ordered a probe by the Crime Branch, a Bangalore-based law student had filed the PIL in the apex court, pressing for an enquiry by an independent agency like the CBI.
In the PIL, the law student had alleged that powerful politicians from Rayagada district were involved in the case.
On October 27 last year, some unidentified persons had set the lady teacher ablaze at Tikiri primary school in Rayagada district. She had earlier filed a case of molestation against her senior.

The lady teacher who sustained severe burn injuries was admitted to Rayagada hospital and later shifted to a private hospital in Visakhapatanam, where she died.
The state government had sacked the sub-inspector of schools, Netrananda Dandasena, deputy inspector of schools, Dharanidhar Behera, inspector in charge of Tikiri police station, Sujit Kumar Sai and assistant sub-inspector of police, Muralidhar Pradhan in the case.
The Crime Branch had filed chargesheet against Dandasena, the prime accused in the case. It was yet to identify the person who actually set her on fire.