Though late, the State Government on Friday recommended for a CBI probe into the minor girl rape and murder case of Balangir district that occurred in May 2015.
Snehalata Chhatria, a Scheduled Caste girl of 15 years, had been abducted on May 22, 2015 from Sargipalli village in the district and her naked body was later found bearing several injuries the next day. The two accused arrested by the police were later released on bail for lack of evidence. Members of various civil society organisations formed a forum in Snehalata’s name in June to give her family justice. The forum staged a mass demonstration at the lower PMG here to protesting the heinous crime. The forum had then submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding CBI inquiry into the case and compensation of Rs 20 lakh for Snehalata’s family. It too sought disciplinary action against the Balangir district Collector and arrest of the culprits.