Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today assured stringent action against the accused in the rape case of a minor girl in Salipur, a day after the victim succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Cuttack.
Patnaik expressed his grief and shock over the death of the Salepur rape victim while making a statement in the Assembly here.
"I will see to it that stringent action is taken against the accused. Rs 5 lakh has been given to the next of the kin of the victim," Patnaik said.
The six-year-old girl was allegedly raped on the night of April 21 and the accused was arrested within 24 hours of this terrible incident, Patnaik said.
The child was given the best medical attention by a team of doctors at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, the chief minister said.
Unfortunately, she died last night, he said.
"I would like to send my deepest condolence to the bereaved family and again I repeat, I feel deep anguish at this terrible incident," Patnaik said.
The victim, battling for life a week, breathed her last at the hospital yesterday, despite efforts by a 13-member team of doctors to save her.
The girl was rescued in a critical condition from a street that led to a school under the jurisdiction of Salipur police station on April 22.
She had deep injuries on her head, face, neck and in her private parts.
Initially, she was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Salipur and was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital since her condition deteriorated.
Police have arrested a person under different sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act.
"Since the victim has died, the attempt to murder charge will be converted to murder charge," the inspector of Salipur police station, D K Mallick, said.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
