Less than a month after a trial court in Bhubaneswar absolved the two accused in the 2011-12 gruesome rape and murder of a 19-year-old girl in Pipili, the State Crime Branch police here on Thursday moved the Orissa High Court challenging the acquittal verdict of the lower court.
High Court sources confirmed the filing of the criminal appeal petition, but said the matter has not been listed for adjudication yet. The Crime Branch moved the High Court after due consultations with the State Director of Public Prosecutor and the State Advocate General. However, a Special Public Prosecutor appointed by the Crime Branch will conduct the case on its behalf.
Crime Branch Additional DG Santosh K Upadhaya had earlier indicated about the Government's decision to challenge the acquittal verdict stating that the investigations into the case were done properly. "The prosecution had argued the case touching every possible angle, clearly establishing involvement of the accused persons in the case," the ADG had said.
One Prashant Pradhan of Pipili, who reportedly had a relationship with the victim, and his younger brother Sukant were arrested in connection with the case. The girl was allegedly raped and an attempt was made to kill her by strangulation on November 28, 2011.
When the incident triggered massive public outcry following allegations that local BJD MLA and the then Minister Pradeep Maharathy was sheltering the accused, the Government handed over the case to the Crime Branch and Maharathy was asked to resign from the Cabinet.
The rescued rape victim then slipped into a comatose state while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack and finally died on June 21, 2012 after battling against death for nearly seven months.
Soon after the lower court verdict was pronounced, Maharathy again as a Minister made some distasteful observations denigrating the victim and her family. Like previously, following a massive public backlash, he was forced to tender his resignation from the Cabinet for a second time.