Police investigation is on to ascertain the age of the two youths who are accused in the rape and murder of Dalit girl Sujata Bairagi following a complaint to the Kendrapada Juvenile Justice Board on a claim that both are minors.
"As per school records, both are minors, and despite the grave nature of the offence allegedly committed by them, law does not permit the police to send them to jail," human rights activist BK Pati said. Pati said he has lodged a complaint with the chairman of the District Juvenile Justice Board.
"The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) will take up the matter as juveniles deserve a chance to reform instead of punitive action," said District JBB member Bipin Bihari Barik.Section 16 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act provides that a juvenile can only be kept at a Special Home till he attains 18 years of age, he said.
The 14-year-old schoolgirl was allegedly raped and set ablaze by two youths in seaside village Kharinashi in Kendarpada district on July 28. She succumbed to burn injuries on August 8. Kendrapada Superintendent of Police Sarthak Sadangi said the issue of the accused is being investigated. The police is also verifying school records to ascertain the age.
Till now, nobody had stated before the police about the minor status of the accused, who were initially booked under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 376 (rape) and 34 (common intention) of the IPC and a section of the SC and ST (Atrocity Prevention) Act, the SP said. Both the accused are currently in jail.