Odisha CM condoles death of Salipur rape victim, announces Rs 5 lakh ex gratia

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today condoled the death of Salipur rape victim, who lost the battle for life on Sunday night, here in Assembly.

Expressing grief over death of the six-year-old rape victim, he announced Rs 5 lakh ex gratia for the victim’s kin.

Patnaik described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and assured stern punishment to the accused.

The victim was provided proper treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and the accused was arrested within 24 hours of rape incident, the CM told the House.

I share the deep anguish of members of Legislative Assembly & people of Odisha over rape of a child at Salepur. The accused was arrested within 24 hours. I promise stringent action. Inspite of best efforts by doctors we could not save her. My deepest condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/WYPAzevSZC

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) April 30, 2018

Meanwhile, a fact-finding team of Congress including party senior leaders Shaikh Matlub Ali, Bijaylaxmi Sahoo and Sumitra Jena visited Salipur to meet the family members of the minor girl rape victim.

Notably, the victim breathed her last battling for life despite efforts by a 13-member team of doctors after a week at the hospital yesterday. She was allegedly raped and rescued in an unconscious state from a school street in Salipur on April 22. Initially, she was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Salipur and was later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital after her condition deteriorated.

Police have arrested one accused identified as Md. Mustafa under sections 376, 307, I (M) of IPC and POCSO Act.