The Odisha State Commission for Women (OSCW) on Tuesday issued summons again to OTV managing director Jagi Mangat Panda in connection with the gang-rape of a minor girl allegedly by some employees of the TV organisation.
The commission issued the summons to Panda through the Bhubaneswar DCP asking her to appear before it on October 1 at 11 am.Panda had deposed before the OSCW on Monday, but OSCW Chairperson Minati Behera said though Panda made deposition, she left the hearing midway citing a prior engagement.Panda has been served a notice by the OSCW after an audio clip of the conversation between her and the rape victim’s mother went viral.
On the other hand, Panda said that since no one turned up and she was not attended by anyone for any kind of inquiry at the OSCW office, she had no other option but to leave due to her other engagements.As per a complaint lodged by the rape victim’s mother with Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR), her daughter was raped by several employees of the TV channel and some policemen for around 15 days during April and May. The accused committed the crime after tying the hands and legs of the girl. They also recorded videos of the incident and threatened the victim to leak it.Notably, the girl’s mother was then working as a receptionist at the OTV.
The woman has further alleged that the accused had threatened her daughter to kill her and her mother if she disclosed their names.The woman has mentioned in her complaint that though she reported the matter to the OTV MD, latter did not take any action against accused and suppressed incident.
The MD also pressurised her not to proceed further in case, she has further alleged.