Naveen orders Crime Branch inquiry into Urmila's suicide

Bhubaneswar, Jan 6 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today ordered a Crime Branch inquiry into the suicide by Urmila Rout before the state secretariat.

The woman who met Mr Patnaik on Wednesday and narrated her grievances, consumed pesticide just after he left for his residence from the state secretariat. Rout was taken to the Capital Hospital where she died later.

The woman, deserted by her husband, had earlier also attempted to end her life near the official chamber of Information and Public Relation Minister Debashis Nayak in June last year but was overpowered by the employees.

She was then arrested by the secretariat security staff, handed over the police and finally sent to jail custody by a local court.

The woman later alleged that she was assaulted inside the Bhubaneswar Special Jail by some jail staff in association with some prisoners who tried to set her on fire.

The Jail authority, however, clarified that she attempted to set herself ablaze.

The woman had complained that her husband had married another woman and the police despite being informed about the incident, did not bother to take any action against him.

Rout had announced to sit on dharna before the Chief Minister's residence from December 29 but was persuaded by the Khurda Superintendent of Police who finally arranged a meeting with Mr Patnaik on January 3.

UNI