The issue of the alleged involvement of the BJD’s Pipili MlA and Agriculture Minister Pradip Maharathy in suppressing the sensational rape and murder of Bebina Behera has resurfaced after the paternal uncle of the victim made a statement before the Justice PK Mohanty Commission of Inquiry, here on Thursday.

Deposing before the commission in its 61st hearing, Bharat Behera alleged that due to the pressure exerted by Maharathy, the Crime Branch police have not investigated the case thoroughly.

The Crime Branch has neither submitted the statement of the family members and relatives of the victim to the court nor recorded the statements of those who were crucial to the investigation, Behera told the commission.

He also alleged that there was gross negligence in the treatment of his niece at the SCB Medical College Hospital. There was no sense of concern among doctors at the hospital for the treatment of my niece despite my fervent requests. Not a single nurse turned up to take care of her, Behera said.

He also said that out of a total compensation amount of Rs21 lakh announced by the State Government, the

victim’s family so far has received Rs15 lakh.

Meanwhile, the State Government on Thursday failed to submit the status report to the commission over the dispute that had arisen at the time of taking the body of the victim from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack.

The commission has posted its next hearing to June 6 as the Government sought more time to submit the report .