Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Cuttack, Feb 26:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) to submit the final report of the state Crime Branch on the murder of Itishree Pradhan, a lady teacher at the Tikiri UP School in Rayagada district on November 1 last year, within eight weeks.
Itishree Pradhan Tikiri Teacher
The directive of the Commission came after the Crime Branch, in its report to the Commission, stated that it is yet to prepare a final report in the case since the investigation is still underway.

It may be mentioned that the deceased had lodged an FIR against school inspector Netrananda Dandasena with the Tikiri police station on July 18 last year alleging sexual torture against her. But the police had not taken any action.

However, after her death, the state government had ordered a Crime Branch probe into the incident.

The Crime Branch had arrested the accused teacher Dandasena and conducted a probe. However, it is yet to identify the culprit who had set Itishree on fire.

The Commission, in its earlier order, had also asked the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased in response to a petition by human rights activist Manoj Jena.

The chief secretary has been directed to submit a compliance report on this to the Commission within eight weeks.