The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has demanded a Crime Branch probe into the alleged gang-rape and murder of a Class 9 girl in Devkumar village, Jaleswar.
Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, Congress leaders also announced an eight-hour Jaleswar Bandh on October 27 in protest against the heinous crime.
Following directions from PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, a fact-finding team visited Jaleswar on October 22. The delegation—including MLA Ashok Das, Banka Bihari Behera, Sudarshan Das, Satya Siva Das, Dr. Manisha Dash Pattnaik, and Urmila Majhi—met the victim’s family, local police, and the Balasore SP.
Briefing the media, Sudarshan Das alleged political influence over local police and claimed multiple perpetrators were involved. He urged an investigation into calls made to the IIC between October 16 and 22, demanding the suspension of negligent police officials rather than mere transfers.
Dr. Manisha Dash Pattnaik characterized the incident as a planned crime and questioned why local BJP leaders were not holding the Chief Minister accountable, given his charge of the Home Department. Congress demanded ₹50 lakh compensation for the victim’s family and a government job for her elder sister.
Congress General Secretary Banka Bihari Behera announced that the October 27 shutdown will run from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Emergency services, national highways, and railways will be exempted. A torchlight rally and street meetings will precede the bandh.
