Woman held in minor girl death case

Odisha Police today arrested one Namita Sahu, director of a short-stay home, Bapuji Seva Sadan in Nilagiri area of Balasore district on charge of abetment in a death involving a minor girl.
Two persons, including a government official were arrested and sent to judicial custody by a court two days ago in the same incident.
Itishree Mahapatra, District Child Protection Officer of Balasore district, and Sukanti Parida, director of a short-stay home, were arrested for their inaction and suppresion of facts in which a minor girl staying in the short-stay home had gotten pregnant and subsequently died some days ago.

On a complaint by an activist, the National Human Rights Commision directed an inquiry, which was conducted by District Collector of Balasore and two officials including Mahapatra were suspended on May 27. They were later arrested.
Meanwhile, the District Collector had ordered the sealing of two short-stay homes, stoppage of all aid to them and shifting of inmates elsewhere.