Odisha lady teacher’s murder: Family members happy with CBI probe

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Rayagada, Jan 21:

The directive of the Supreme Court for a CBI probe into the gruesome murder of Itishree Pradhan, a lady teacher of Tikiri Upper Primary School in Odisha’s Rayagada district in October 2013, has been welcomed by her family members.

“I want my daughter get the justice. I am not hankering after money. My family is very happy that the CBI has taken up the investigation. My daughter, before her death, had said that her mother and her native place would be happy if proper justice is meted out to her. I also pray God to at least give me a peace of mind and happiness to see that the culprits are punished before my death,” said Itishree’s mother Banajalata Pradhan in a chocked voice.

Besides, the students of the Tikiri Upper Primary School also expressed satisfaction over the CBI probe into the murder of their beloved teacher.

“We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court which has directed the CBI to nab the prime accused. We are hopeful that the CBI would be able to nab the culprit,” said Mithuna Khara, a student of the school.

“We were staying together with our teacher and sharing our food with her. Whenever I think of those days, I cannot hold my tears”, said Jagannath Majhi, another student, while reminiscing his association with his loving teacher with tears rolling down from his eyes.

“I think if the truth comes out during the CBI probe, it will give us a shy of relief,” said Jagneswar Turku, a teacher of the school.

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court on Monday had directed the CBI to probe the gruesome murder of Itishree who died on November 1, 2013 after battling severe burn injuries she had sustained five days before that.

The apex court, in an order, asked the CBI director to form an investigating team within a week to nab the prime accused in the murder of the lady teacher and submit a report within two months.

“Inordinate delay in the investigation by the state crime branch has given sufficient ground to order for a CBI probe into the incident with immediate effect,” said Suresh Tripathy, counsel for the Bengaluru based petitioner Sudipta Lenka.

“While the state government had requested the apex court to allow it to continue the investigation, the court, in its ruling, declined to accept the plea pointing out that the police are yet to nab the prime accused more than one year after the incident, which had cast a doubt about the investigation by the state police,” Tripathy said.