SIT intensifies probe in Odisha minor’s homicide; Congress, BJP teams meet her parents

The Special Investigation Team has intensified its probe into the kidnapping and subsequent homicide of a minor lady in Odisha’s Nayagarh, officers stated.

The lady’s parents had named Babuli Nayak, a loyalist of the State’s Agriculture Minister Arun Kumar Sahoo, as the principle accused and lodged a grievance in opposition to his identify.

Mr. Sahoo has been accused of protecting Mr. Nayak, as no arrests have but been made in the case because it got here to mild on November 24, after her parents tried a self-immolation in entrance of the Assembly in Bhubaneswar.

SIT Chief Arun Botha, who has himself interrogated Mr. Nayak, stated on Saturday, “Give me at least a fortnight. We started the investigation into the incident four-five days back”.

The staff members additionally searched the home of Mr. Nayak and his driver in order to determine their involvement in the crime, the officers stated.

The five-year-old lady had gone lacking on July 14 and her skeletal stays have been discovered in the yard of her home at Jadupur village of Nayagarh district on July 23.

Meanwhile, a high-level delegation of the State unit of Congress visited the minor’s native village and met her parents.

“We demand corporal punishment for the culprits involved in the crime. We also hope that the little girl’s family will get justice from the probe being carried out by the SIT,” stated Odisha Congress in-charge A. Chella Kumar.

A separate staff led by BJP nationwide spokesperson Sambit Patra additionally met her parents on the village.

“We have three demands. One a CBI probe into the incident, the second is dismissal of the agriculture minister, who gave protection to the main accused in the case and justice for the girl’s family,” stated Mr. Patra.

The ruling BJD, nonetheless, has denounced the Opposition events’ accusations, asserting that they have been making an attempt to politicise the matter.