Pari murder in Odisha: NCPCR recommends for Central agency probe

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Dec 19, 2020 at 4:15 PM Updated On : Dec 19, 2020 at 6:35 PM

Bhubaneswar: Observing discrepancies and lacunas in the preliminary investigation conducted by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the Pari murder case, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recommended the Odisha government to ask for a probe by a Central agency for an unbiased and objective investigation. The recommendation was made to the State government on November 30, 2020.

The NCPCR further stated it found the statements of the minor girl’s parents were not recorded by the police after her body was recovered. But, the police conducted the polygraph test of the girl’s parents without probing into the facts in the matter.

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“When such serious discrepancies are present in the preliminary investigation in this case then it becomes difficult to rely on the subsequent investigation that would be undertaken by SIT as well,” the NCPCR observed.

The Commission further said its apprehension on the legitimacy of the investigation is also based on the incomplete facts submitted before the Commission in the ATR of the Nayagarh SP and DM and the facts submitted by them during the summon hearing.

“In the ATR the SP and DM had failed to provide the information regarding the person being suspected as accused in this case and then subsequently misleading the Commission during the summon hearing by informing that the suspected accused had surrendered himself before the Court. The Commission has taken a serious view on such misleading facts and submissions being made before it,”

As the SIT is probing the minor girl murder case based on the preliminary investigation of the police authorities, the chances of probing into the facts in this case and seeking justice is minimal, the commission added.

Also, the NCPCR recommended that the Odisha Government must take strict action including disciplinary action against the investigating officers for dereliction of their duty and for conducting a poor and flawed investigation in this matter which has caused delays in the investigation in the serious offence of death of a minor girl child.