Despite the recommendation of the national commission for women (NCW) for a CBI probe into the alleged killing of school teacher in Tikiri, Rayagada district of Odisha, the state government is trying to ignore the issue stating that the state crime branch is investigating the matter.

NCW recommended CBI probe as the school teacher Itishree Pradhan was set on fire on October 17 allegedly after she levelled sexual harassment charges against the school inspector Netrananda Dandasena.  The commission has also called for immediate suspension of the district collector of Rayagada and superintendent of police for serious dereliction of duty. There is compelling evidence to suggest that the administration and the police authorities of the district had overlooked the repeated pleas of the victim for her safety and their inaction led to her killing, the commission noted.

In a 320-page inquiry report, the commission has been scathing on the conduct of the state government and the crime branch in the case. Even after 45 days of the incident, the crime branch which claims to have cracked all cases headed by additional director general of police, Bijay Kumar Sharma, has failed to even trace the assailants who had set the victim on fire. It has not been able to issue a sketch of the killer nor crack the conspiracy behind it, NCW team members said.

Also read: She dared to complain harassment. Now she's dead

The way the probe has been undertaken raises serious doubts on the intention of the state crime branch. “The victim had repeatedly mentioned the involvement of some powerful people from the ruling establishment in her letter to the state and district authorities. In view of the facts and the failure of the state crime branch till now, the state government should issue a notification handing over the case to the CBI,” the commission stated.

Not agreeing with the NCW Rabi Narayan Nanda, minister of school and mass education said that the state crime branch was doing a good job and investigating the case properly. It may be mentioned here that the victim had written several letters to the minister, but he had ignored her pleas.
A two member team comprising Hemlata Kheria and Manasi Pradhan, had inquired into the killing of the lady teacher. They had visited the spot and recorded statements of all witnesses, administration and police authorities.

The state chief secretary Jugal Kishore Mohapatra, the director of police Prakash Mishra, the chairperson of the State Commission for Women and the secretary school and mass education department had also appeared before the team.

Acting on their report, the NCW has asked the government to immediately convene a meeting of all its state and district level officials to fix responsibilities over issues of women security. Police should be instructed to be sensitive to women’s security and take swift action.

The chief secretary has been asked to file an action taken report on the basis of the findings of the inquiry within seven days.

Earlier, the opposition had staged a walkout in the assembly in protest even as chief minister Naveen Patnaik ignored their demand for a CBI probe into the murder of the teacher and had said that there has been no laxity in investigation of the case.

State congress had also demanded Naveen Patnaik’s resignation over the incident, the Odisha Jana Morcha (OJM) has sought a CBI probe into the alleged involvement of ruling party members in giving protection to the criminals.

OJM president Pyarimohan Mohapatra had alleged that the chief minister is trying to suppress the case by announcing compensation for the family members of the victim.
 

“Announcement of compensation has become a pattern leading one to believe that chief minister Naveen Patnaik is trying to protect the suspected BJD leaders by bribing the family members of the victims in every case,” he said.

Patnaik has failed as a home minister and he should hand over the portfolio to some competent person in his party, Pyari said and alleged that all forms of crime have flourished under the BJD Government.

Describing the case as very serious, Patnaik had asked the opposition parties not to trivialise it for narrow political gains. The issue cropped up during discussion on admissibility of an adjournment motion notice with the opposition members demanding that all those named by the deceased in the dying declaration (the chief minister, minister of state for school and mass education Rabi Narayan Nanda and BJD MP from Koraput Jayram Pangi) should be brought under the purview of the investigation.

The chief minister, however, said as far as crimes against women are concerned, he has instructed the police to strictly follow the policy of zero tolerance. He said four officers, including the accused Netranand Dandasena, have been dismissed from service. Rarely such a strong action like dismissal of four officers under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution is resorted to anywhere in the country in such matters, he said.

Speaker Pradip Amat had allowed discussion on the issue after the Congress members sat on a dharna in the well of the House for two days. Normalcy returned to the House after he announced that the chief minister will reply to the discussion.

Patnaik, however, completely ignored allegations by the opposition members that the dying declaration of the victim raised a finger against senior BJD politicians (including the chief minister).

There was also no response from him to the demand that action should be taken against senior officials, including the superintendent of police and the district collector, who failed to act on petitions of sexual harassment filed by the victim.

Instead, the chief minister gave details about the steps announced by the state government for protection of women. FIRs relating to offences against women can be lodged in any police station and then transferred to the police station concerned for investigation, he said.

Stating that the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment is unquestionable, Patnaik said, “it is because of the trust and faith that people and women in particular have in the government that they have been blessing us continuously for the last 14 years.”

He added that the government will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of the case and provide justice to the bereaved family of the deceased.