Baleshwar: The Superintendent of Police (SP) for Odisha’s Baleshwar district, Pratyush Diwaker, on Friday detailed the arrest of prime accused Chandrakanta Jena following the alleged rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, who went missing on October 16 while heading to a dance class.
According to the SP, sustained interrogation of the suspect revealed that the victim was assaulted on the very day she disappeared, and was strangled to death when she spurned the accused’s advances. The perpetrator then concealed her body in a forest area within Bartana gram panchayat under Jaleswar police limits, from where it was recovered on Thursday. The girl’s sandals and scarf were found some distance away from the body, enabling her family members to identify her.
In the wake of public outrage, widespread road blockades, and political demonstrations led by opposition parties like the Congress and BJD demanding strict justice, immediate disciplinary actions have also been taken against local police for initial dereliction of duty. Following allegations from the victim’s family that police failed to register an official FIR promptly when the girl first went missing, Balasore SP has suspended Nampo Outpost Officer Karan Marandi and transferred Jaleswar IIC Ashok Kumar Barik to the district headquarters, appointing Mukunda Murari Patra as the new IIC.
An aunt of the deceased had earlier alleged that despite informing the police about the suspected abduction, the prime suspect was released after being detained for two days.
Addressing the media on the ongoing measures, SP Diwaker assured that a DSP-level officer has taken over the probe to ensure a transparent and meticulous investigation. He further stated that police are working closely with the Deputy Director of Prosecution to expedite the filing of the chargesheet and secure a speedy trial.
