Bhubaneswar: A three-member BJP team, headed by its national general secretary Saroj Pande, left for Kunduli on Saturday to ascertain the reasons that compelled the 14-year-old girl, an alleged gang-rape victim, to commit suicide.
Pande said after reaching Bhubaneswar: "We will examine the ground realities and submit a report to our president, Amit Shah." The team, which also includes Lok Sabha members Jyoti Dhurve and Anju Bala, left for Kunduli by the Hirakhand Express in the evening.
BJP leaders said Shah ordered a probe into the matter after leaders from the state had briefed him how the state government was trying to cover up the alleged gang-rape. The girl had alleged how the director-general of police (DGP) had tried to give her a bribe of Rs 90,000 before she killed herself, they said. DGP R.P. Sharma later denied the allegations.
Dhurve said: "Our objective is to get justice for the girl and action against those who had failed to perform their duties. We will prepare the report after meeting the family members."
On Friday, Union petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan accused the government of being callous and insensitive.
BJP state vice-president Samir Mohanty said: "We will create public opinion on the issue and force the state government to recommend the case to the CBI. We will take all steps to ensure that the victim gets justice."
The BJD, however, was quick to hit back. Party spokesperson Sasmit Patra said: "The state government has already ordered a judicial probe. Everyone should wait for its report before jumping to a conclusion."
The party's women's wing chief Pramila Mallick said: "There are many unfortunate incidents of gang-rape and child atrocities taking place across the country. But, the BJP never takes any step to render justice to the victims of those crimes. But our chief minister is committed to getting justice for the victim."
A section of BJP activists organised a protest in Mumbai during the visit of chief minister Naveen Patnaik for the government's failure to arrest the alleged accused. Naveen told reporters in Mumbai: "This is a tragic incident. We are investigating the matter."
