States » EastPosted at: Oct 24 2026 7:03PM


Odisha Congress demands crime branch probe into Jaleswar minor’s rape and murder, announces shutdown

Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (UNI) The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) has demanded a Crime Branch investigation into the alleged rape and murder of a Class IX student from Debakumar village in the Paschim Bada area of Jaleswar in Balasore district, alleging serious lapses in the police investigation and possible political interference in the handling of the case.
As part of its protest, the Congress has announced an eight-hour shutdown in Jaleswar on October 27, demanding accountability for the alleged negligence and a thorough, impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
Addressing a press conference at Congress Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, senior Congress leader Sudarshan Das alleged that shortcomings in the police investigation had raised serious concerns about the handling of the case. He demanded the suspension of police officers allegedly responsible for the lapses, stating that merely transferring them would not be sufficient.
A Congress fact-finding team, constituted on the advice of Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das, visited Jaleswar on October 22 to gather information about the incident.
During the visit, the team met the officer-in-charge of Jaleswar police station, the victim’s parents, local residents and the Balasore Superintendent of Police. After completing its inquiry, the team returned to Bhubaneswar and submitted its report to the PCC president.
Sharing the findings and concerns raised by the party, Sudarshan Das alleged that political interference in the police administration might have affected the investigation. He called for a probe into the identities of political leaders who allegedly contacted the officer-in-charge of Jaleswar police station between October 16 and 22.
Das also expressed concern over the possibility of more than one person being involved in the crime. Raising questions about the chemicals and methods reportedly used to conceal evidence, he said these aspects required detailed examination through an independent and comprehensive Crime Branch investigation.
The Congress leader reiterated that the officers allegedly responsible for negligence should be suspended pending appropriate proceedings rather than simply transferred to other postings.
Party spokesperson Dr Manisha Das Patnaik described the incident as a premeditated crime and strongly criticised what she termed the failure of the police administration to handle the case effectively.
She demanded compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the victim’s family and a government job for the deceased girl’s elder sister to help the family cope with the loss and its financial consequences.
The Congress maintained that an impartial investigation, accountability for any lapses and adequate support for the bereaved family were essential to ensuring justice in the case.
UNI DP
Tags: #Odisha Congress demands crime branch probe into Jaleswar minor’s rape and murder# announces shutdown
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