Orissa government opposes CBI probe into nun's rape case

New Delhi, Oct 20 : The Orissa Government in an affidavit to the Supreme Court has opposed a plea for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the rape of a nun in Kandhamal District of the state by some Bajrang Dal activists.

The State government filed the affidavit in response to a plea by Cuttack Archbishop Raphel Cheenath.

"The investigation of the case by Crime Branch of the state is continuing very diligently and the mater is being monitored at the highest level," said the Orissa Government.

In its affidavit submitted to a bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, the Orissa Government stated details of the ongoing probe into the nun's rape on August 25 and said: "As regards petitioners' demands for a CBI probe into the assault and rape of the nun, it is respectfully submitted that the Crime Branch, which is probing the case, has made substantial progress."

The affidavit further said the eight accused persons have been arrested on the basis of available evidence and that the Chief Minister of Orissa has categorically condemned the heinous crime and has appealed to the victim to cooperate in further investigation.

The Orissa government also opposed the demand for Rs.30 million as compensation to rebuild the churches demolished in the sectarian violence in Kandhamal between December 2007 and January 2008.

The region has been witnessing communal violence since August 23, when Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his aides were shot dead by unidentified gunmen at his Jalespata Ashram.

ANI