Bhubaneswar, June 15: CBI officials yesterday interrogated the dismissed assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of Tikiri police station Muralidhar Pradhan in connection with the murder of para-teacher Itishree Pradhan, 27, in November 2013.

Itishree, a temporary teacher at Tikiri Upper Primary School in Rayagada district, had accused sub-inspector of schools Netrananda Dandasena of sexual harassment. On the night of October 27, 2013, unidentified goons set her afire while she was asleep in a hostel room.

A few days later on November 1, the resident of Pipili in Puri died at a hospital in Vishakhapatnam.

The ASI was the investigating officer of Itishree's earlier complaints on which he had not taken any steps. The officials of the investigating agency yesterday interrogated Pradhan and two other local journalists about the incident.

Sources said Pradhan was first interrogated alone and then in the presence of headmaster of the school and two local journalists. The investigating officers asked him about the visitors to the spot after the crime and the circumstances. The CBI has been investigating the case since January 20 this year following a directive of the Supreme Court. This is the CBI's fifth round of questioning that started on June 11.

The CBI officials said they would interrogate more people in connection with the incident.