BJP, BJD spar over Koraput rape case

With Union minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeking CBI probe into the alleged gangrape and suicide of a minor girl in Odisha, the ruling BJD accused him of politicising the issue ahead of Bijepur Assembly bypoll.
The 14-year-old girl had alleged that she was raped by four "men in uniform" on October 10, last year, in Kunduli area of Koraput district. She had committed suicide on January 22.
Pradhan today sought a CBI probe into the case even as BJD spokesman and Rajya Sabha MP P K Deb asserted that there was no need for any help from the central probe agency as a judicial inquiry is on in the case.

"Instead of giving justice to the girl and her family, the state government is trying to destroy evidence in the gang rape and suicide incident," the Union minister for petroleum and natural gas told reporters here.
Holding the state government responsible for the suicide of the rape victim, Pradhan alleged the Odisha Police probe had concluded that the girl was not raped at all.
Only a CBI probe could have given justice to the victim and her family, he claimed.

Pradhan also said that if the state government had no confidence in the CBI, it could also go for a court-monitored inquiry by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

He sought reasons for Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik's "silence" on the matter.
"Why are you (CM) silent, on the issue even after 100 days have passed? We want a reply from you over the incident. The chief minister cannot escape just by expressing his condolence over her suicide," the Union minister said.
He claimed that the minor girl had left a suicide note but it was not made public.
"I have doubts that the suicide note have been destroyed to suppress facts. The note must be brought under the purview of the inquiry," Pradhan said.
Referring to the victim's statement to the media, days before committing suicide, the minister said the girl had brought allegations of bribery against top police officer.

"She was put in a hospital for mental treatment even when she was sound," he said.
Asked about the state government's order for a judicial probe into case, Pradhan said: "In many cases, judicial probe has not yielded any result. This case should be handed over to the CBI immediately."
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP national general secretary Saroj Pandey today said a CBI probe is much needed in the case.
"It is unfortunate that there is an attempt to suppress the matter instead of giving justice to a minor girl. The state should recommend a CBI probe," Pandey said after meeting the family members of the victim today.

Rebutting BJP's allegations, spokesperson of the ruling party Deb said the opposition should have faith in the judicial probe.
"There is no point in going for a CBI probe. The central agency has in the past too failed to solve case," he said accusing the Union minister of politicising the matter with an eye on the February 24 by-elections in Bijepur.
If the BJP does not have faith on the state government, it should approach Union Home Ministry for an internal departmental inquiry as CRPF's CoBRA camp is located near the site of the alleged rape, he said.
Deb also rejected Pradhan's claims that the Crime Branch of the Odisha Police has given a clean chit to central forces operating in the Kunduli area of the district.

"We strongly condemn the BJP's allegations. The government is not trying to shield any culprits. Neither the government has given a clean chit to anyone nor has the investigation concluded," he said.