Ready for SIT probe into murder if needed: CM Naveen Patnaik
BHUBANESWAR: Amid mounting opposition pressure, the state government on Friday said it is ready to form a special investigation team (SIT) if required to probe the murder of a five-year-old girl in Nayagarh in July.
“If SIT investigation is what is required, the state government will take steps in this regard and do it immediately. My government is always committed to free and fair investigation and we always want justice to be done,” chief minister Naveen Patnaik told the assembly through video-conference.
“I am deeply saddened by the incident. My government will always stand for the rule of law. I would request all the members to cooperate,” he told the opposition who created ruckus seeking an SIT probe, with some also demanding the resignation of agriculture and higher education minister Arun Sahoo, accusing him of shielding the accused.
The government’s readiness for an SIT came on a day the Crime Branch (CB) began its probe into the murder. A Crime Branch team led by ADG Yeshwant Jethwa visited Jadupur village in Nayagarh where the girl’s body was found. The state government had ordered a CB inquiry a day after the girl’s parents attempted self-immolation outside the assembly on Tuesday.
However, Naveen’s statement failed to end the deadlock in the assembly as BJP MLAs continued with their demand for Sahoo’s resignation and a CBI probe. The Congress, though, did not join in the protest in the post-lunch session, even as it had strongly pitched for a court-monitored SIT probe.
“The law and order has collapsed in the state. The state government is only concerned about saving the image of the chief minister and the ministers. We had never demanded an SIT inquiry. We are firm on our demand for a CBI probe into the matter and expulsion of the agriculture minister from the cabinet,” leader of opposition Pradipta Naik told the media.