The Crime Branch, which probed into the sensational Pipili gangrape and murder case and subsequently expressed its inability to substantiate the allegation of rape while filing the charge-sheet, had perhaps preempted the issue to overlook the allegation of rape.
Had that not been the case, why then the police had not made any requisitions before the treating doctors to medically examine whether the 19-year-old girl was sexually assaulted or notIJ Counsels for different witnesses appearing before the Justice PK Mohanty Commission of Inquiry are now harping on this point, and on Thursday the Crime Branch investigation officer (IO) Ramesh Chandra Sethy faced this uncomfortable question. While the IO’s cross-examination remained inconclusive on the day, Sethy tried to pass on the bucks on the contentious issue by saying that he did only what he was asked to do by his supervising officer.
Sethy appeared before the commission for the first time on the day and recorded his statements during the ‘chief examination’ and was then subjected to cross-examinations. His cross-examinations will again be held on June 7 and 10, sources said.
Earlier, Sethy told the commission that the Crime Branch has filed four charge-sheets in the case before the trial court of Pipili JMFC. Besides the key accused Prashant Pradhan, the police had submitted charge-sheets against the three other accused, a dismissed police inspector and three other doctors.
While only four accused are arrested, the police have not arrested the tainted police officer and the three doctors, who are booked under charges of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The key accused is booked under murder charge and he is also warranted trial in the court of law for charges under Sections 341 (wrongful restraint), 354 (assault to outrage the modesty of a woman), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 34 (common intention) of IPC. Prashant’s younger brother Sukanta and two of their associates are also facing similar charges, barring the murder charge. It may be recalled that the Dalit girl of Arjungoda village of Pipili was allegedly gangraped and an attempt was made on her life on November 29, 2011.