Pipili Gang Rape-Murder: CB To Move HC Against Lower Court Verdict

Cuttack: The Crime Branch will move the Orissa High Court against the verdict of the lower court in connection with the Pipili gang rape and murder case.

Informing this to the media here on Thursday, Additional Director General (ADG), Crime Branch, Santosh Upadhyay said the Crime Branch had properly investigated the case and the Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) had meticulously presented his argument on every aspect of the investigation before the court of the Additional District Judge (ADJ). Even the ADJ in his judgment has clearly mentioned that the murder has been established. But the complicity of the accused in this case has not been established.

“In this connection, we had a thorough discussion with the APP today and sought his opinion. We collected the deposition statement of 76 witnesses in this case and the written arguments and opinion of the APP. The APP in his opinion has said since there are strong and valid grounds in this case, it deserves an appeal before the higher court. Taking this into consideration, we will appeal before the High Court through the Director, Public Prosecution as per the established protocol,” the ADG pointed out.

Notably, the Additional District Judge Court, Bhubaneswar, had acquitted prime accused Prashant Pradhan and his brother Sukant on December 24 due to lack of evidence.

The 19-year-old victim of Arjungoda village of Pipili in Puri district had gone into a coma after being allegedly gang-raped on November 28, 2011. She was found unconscious and in a semi-naked state in a paddy field in her village. After remaining in coma for over six months, she died at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack in June 2012.