Bhubaneswar: Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday demanded a CBI probe into the death of Gobinda Sahu, prime accused in the sensational Mamita Meher murder case in Odisha, saying the incident has raised many questions.
Immediately after Sahu was found dead in Kantabanji jail in Balangir on Tuesday, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sought a thorough probe into the incident by the premier central agency. Both BJP and Congress have stated that the death of Sahu occurred in suspicious condition.
Describing BJP’s demand for a CBI probe into the incident as proper and just, Dharmendra said he fully endorses the stand taken by the party.
Stating that death of an inmate inside a prison is not a good sign, the Union Education Minister said those in charge of Home department and looking after jail administration need to answer as to how the incident took place.
The nature of investigation into the death of Sahu, who was found hanging on the jail premises, must be decided after taking into consideration facts that have come to light so far, he said.
The manner in which Sahu was found dead raises many questions and suspicion, Dharmendra said, adding that the state government is answerable in a democratic set up and prove that probe is being conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
There must be an impartial probe into Sahu’s death and BJP’s demand in this regard is appropriate, he added.
Mamita, a resident of Jharni village in Balangir’s Turekela block, was working as a teacher at Sunshine English Medium School at Mahaling in Kalahandi district. The 24-year-old teacher went missing on October 8, 2021. Alleging involvement of the school’s managing committee president Sahu in her disappearance, Mamita’s family members lodged a complaint with the police. On October 19, charred remains of Mamita’s body were exhumed from the construction site of a stadium near the school.
Sahu was then arrested for abducting and murdering Mamita with help of his driver Radheshyam Chandi.
On October 8, Sahu reportedly received Mamita at Chandotara. He then drove her in his car to Bhawanipatna for shopping. Later, both went to the Manikeswari temple and on the way back, he strangulated her to death on the back seat of the car.
Earlier this month, principal of Mahaling College Ranjit Sahu and a management committee member Kruti Chandan were arrested on the charges of influencing witnesses in the murder case.
