scw chief

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury/ Edited by Swetaparna Mohanty

Bhubaneswar, Nov 9:

Even though the National Commission for Women (NCW) has asked the state government to furnish a report on the death of lady teacher Itishree Pradhan after it sparked widespread public outcry among the people in the state, the State Commission for Women (SCW), a quasi judiciary body, has remained deafeningly silent on the issue. Not only did it not act on the memorandum submitted by Itishree when she was alive, it has done absolutely nothing to get to the bottom of the case since her death.

Asked if the commission would quiz chief minister Naveen Patnaik and even Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi in the case since Itishree named both of them in her dying declaration, SCW chairperson Lopamudra Buxipatra said it has no powers to do so.

“I will function within my powers in the case. Whatever action will be taken will be within the purview of the mandate given to the Commission. I can direct or recommend the government to take action. But can’t quiz the Chief Minister,” Buxipatra told OST.

The SCW chairperson, who rushed to Delhi to meet Linkon Subuddhi, an Odia girl who was attacked for opposing the marriage of a minor girl, failed to meet Itishree either in Rayagada or at Seven Hills hospital in Vizag where she spent four days before breathing her last. When asked about it, she cited ill health as the reason for the no show.

Quizzed about the lack of an inquiry into the murder even a week after Itishree’s death even though the National Commission for Women (NCW) has already directed the state government to furnish a report in the matter, she said; “I had directed the police administration to take action against accused Netrananda Dandasena when Itishree approached me. The police reported that he was absconding. However, in the meantime, the unfortunate incident occurred. I will initiate an inquiry after the mourning period is over.”

It is clear that the same political consideration is preventing the Commission from initiating an inquiry into the murder of Itishree that tied up its hands in the Bebina rape and murder case in Pipli last year.