'Scientific probe into Pipili rape case began late'

The scientific inquiry by police in the sensational Pipili rape and murder case began late due to which the inquiry officer could not collect any evidence of substance from the spot, the Commission probing the incident was told today.
Deposing before the Justice P K Mohanty Commission of Inquiry, Puri scientific officer Amiya Kumar Samantray during cross-examination said he was asked to go to the spot after one and half months of the incident and he did not find any evidence of substance as it was too late to investigate such matters.
The scientific inquiry into the case was not carried out properly for he was the only person deputed for such a purpose whereas a minimum of three officers were required to investigate a crime of such a nature, Samantray said.

Meanwhile, the Commission gave a last chance to Odisha government seeking a reply from it on the fate of dismissed police inspector Amulya Kumar Champatiray, whose dismissal was quashed by State Administrative Tribunal.
Expressing displeasure over the government's failure in informing the Commission regarding Champatiray's fate, the Commission gave the last opportunity to the government asking it to file its reply by April 26.
Champatiray was dismissed from service after it was found that while he was officiating as Pipili police station in-charge he did not act as per law when the 19-year-old rape victim's case was brought to his notice in November 2011.

Champatiray, however, challenged his dismissal order in SAT which in turn quashed the order of dismissal.
Suspecting government's motive and alleging that the so called action taken against the former Pipili police inspector was nothing but an "eyewash", the same was challenged before the Commission by relatives of the victim, who died in June 2012 after struggling for over six months.
According to sources, the Commission will hold the next sittings on April 26 and 27.