Cuttack: Orissa high court on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the ongoing probe into the recent self-immolation of a girl in Balasore while admitting a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking a court-monitored probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT). The court also issued notices to BJD and Congress for staging protest on the issue in alleged violation by Supreme Court guidelines.The PIL, filed by HC lawyer Shivsankar Mohanty, was taken up by the division bench of Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak. Mohanty, who appeared in person, sought a “time-bound” SIT probe under the direct supervision of the court.However, after perusing a status report on the ongoing investigation by the State CID-Crime Branch submitted in a sealed cover, the bench expressed “satisfaction with the progress made so far.” At this stage, an SIT probe is not called for, the court observed. The matter has been posted to July 22 for further hearing, with a direction to the CID to submit an updated status report on the investigation.Appearing for the state, advocate general Pitambar Acharya submitted that the probe is being supervised by a senior IPS officer of inspector general rank and assured the court that the govt is taking all possible steps to ensure justice. He informed the court that both the accused — the college principal and the head of department of education — have been arrested, placed under suspension, and disciplinary proceedings have been initiated against them.The court issued notices to the presidents of the Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee and BJD, following allegations by the petitioner that both political parties had staged demonstrations over the girl’s death in violation of Supreme Court directives, prohibiting such activities during ongoing investigations.The petitioner has also sought directions to the University Grants Commission (UGC) to place on record the report of the fact-finding committee it constituted on July 15, and to take appropriate action against any erring officials or institutions. Taking note of this, the bench issued notice to the UGC.
