In a significant ruling, the Orissa High Court on Friday ordered the State Crime Branch to submit the final report within four weeks after completing the investigations into the 2017 sensational Kunduli gangrape case. The HC also suggested setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into the incident in case the Crime Branch police fail to meet the deadline.
“In case, the Crime Branch fails to submit the final report within the stipulated period, the HC has suggested forming an SIT to probe into the gangrape case and also to find out the circumstances that led to the rape victim to commit suicide after three months,” said BJP leader Kharabela Swain, who is also one of the petitioners in this case.
Notably, the minor girl was allegedly raped by four security personnel on October 10, 2017 in the Kunduli jungles near Musaguda village in Koraput district. Alleging torture and harassment by police, the girl committed suicide on January 22, 2018.
Swain and the victim’s brother have moved the HC in separate petitions seeking a CBI inquiry into the incidents.
A Division Bench headed by Chief Justice KS Jhaveri on Friday turned down a State Government request when the Advocate General pleaded to allow another three months to complete the investigations. Posting the matter to be heard again on September 4, the court asked the AG to ensure that the final report is filed before the next date of hearing or else, the SIT would take over the investigations.
“The HC has suggested both the petitioners to submit a list of six senior officers of the Central and State Government investigating agencies following which the court will select three from the list (at least two from the Central agencies) to constitute the SIT that will work under the supervision and guidance of the High Court,” Swain said.