Observing discrepancies and lacunae in the preliminary investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the Pari murder case, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has recommended to the Odisha Government to seek a probe by a Central agency for an unbiased and objective investigation. The recommendation was made to the State Government on November 30.
The NCPCR stated that it found the statements of the minor girl’s parents’ versions were not recorded by the police after her body was recovered and the police conducted the polygraph test of Pari’s parents without probing into the facts in the matter.
“When such serious discrepancies are present in the preliminary investigation in this case then it becomes difficult to rely on the subsequent investigation that would be undertaken by SIT as well,” the NCPCR observed.
The commission said its apprehension on the legitimacy of the investigation is also based on the ‘incomplete facts’ submitted before it in the action-taken report (ATR) of the Nayagarh SP and Collector and the facts submitted by them during the summons hearing.“In the ATR, the SP and the DM had failed to provide the information regarding the person being suspected as accused and then subsequently misleading the commission during the summons hearing by informing that the suspected accused had surrendered himself before court. The commission has taken a serious view on such misleading facts and submissions being made before it,”As the SIT is probing the case based on the preliminary investigation of police, the chances of going into the facts and seeking justice is minimal, the commission added.Also, the NCPCR recommended that the Odisha Government take strict action, including disciplinary, against the investigating officers for dereliction of their duty and conducting a poor and flawed investigation, which has caused delays in the investigation in the serious offence of death of a minor girl child.