Court acquits 2 accused siblings in 2011 Pipili gang rape, murder case

Bhubaneswar: In an important development in seven-year-old Pipili gang rape and murder case, the local court here today acquitted two brothers due to lack of evidence.

The Bhubaneswar District & Sessions Judge Court which was making hearing in the case acquitted prime accused Prashant Pradhan and his brother Sukant. They had been booked under Sections 341, 307, 376 and 506 of the IPC and Section 3 of the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocity) Act.

Two other accused in the case namely Guna Swain and Premenanda Nayak are still under trial in the case.

Notably, the Pipili gang rape incident came to fore on November 28 after the the victim, a 19-year-old Dalit girl from Arjungoda village, was found in an unconscious and semi-naked state from a paddy field in the village.

She was admitted to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar in January, 2012. She was later shifted to SCB Medical in Cuttack following an order by Orissa High Court. After remaining in coma for six months the victim breathed her last in June 2012.

While the IIC of the Pipili Police Station under which the incident took place along with three doctors were dismissed from their jobs following the incident, a minister of the State Cabinet also suffered action.

However, the minister was given clean chit later, the police officer was reinstated by orders of the Orissa High Court.