Odisha lady teacher murder: CBI begins third phase probe

Reported by Ranjan Rath
Rayagada, Apr 19:

The CBI on Saturday began its third phase probe into the sensational murder case of Itishree Pradhan, a lady teacher of Tikiri Upper Primary School in Odisha’s Rayagada district.

A CBI team, led by Inspector RD Sharma  arrived here on Friday night from New Delhi in Ahmedabad-Puri Express and went to Tikiri Upper Primary School for investigation.

During investigation, the CBI officials interrogated Bipracharan Pujari, former president of Tikiri Upper Primary School Committee; Narendra Dandasena, nephew of one of the accused Netrananda Dandasena; Jogeswar Turuk, headmaster; and three school teachers Ramnath Majhi, Durya Majhi and Pabitra Nayak.

The Supreme Court, while hearing the Itishree murder case on February 20 this year, had asked the CBI to nab the prime accused, who had set fire on Itishree and others involved in the case. But the central agency is yet to arrest anyone in the case.

While a nine-member CBI team led by SP BK Singh had arrived here on February 27 for investigation, a three-member team of the central investigating agency led by Inspector DB Mitrawala had visited the district on March 26. The team, before leaving the district, had visited some areas of Rayagada town and its nearby areas, JK Pur and Tikiri.

While the CBI has brought 42 persons under the purview of its investigation, it is presently reviewing the certified copy of the cases filed against Netrananda Dandasena in the District and Sessions Judge Court.