NCW begins probe into Odisha rape case

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has stepped in to probe the alleged gang-rape case involving a Dalit girl at Pipli village in coastal Puri district.

Anita Agnihotri, member-secretary of the commission, on Thursday visited government-run Sriram Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical Collage and Hospital in Cuttack where the victim has been struggling for her life in the intensive care unit in a comatose state.

After talking to doctors, she expressed satisfaction with the treatment being provided to the girl. “I am satisfied with the treatment,” she said. She also met the family members of the victim in the hospital.

During her three-day stay in the state, Agnihotri is scheduled to meet state Director-General of Police, besides senior officials of the crime branch which is probing the sensational incident.

She would also be visiting Pipli village on Friday where the girl was allegedly gang-raped. All the four accused in the case have already been arrested by the crime branch.

After visiting the village, the NCW member-secretary will be meeting the state chief secretary and home secretary as well as the chairperson of the state commission for women here.

Agnihotri informed that she would be submitting her report to the commission very shortly. “I will be collecting more information and will submit my report to the commission,” she said adding the commission would subsequently forward its recommendations to the Odisha government.