The girl who was allegedly gang raped in October last year near Kunduli in Koraput district committed suicide in her house on Monday fuelling a political outrage across the state and locals refusing to hand over the body for postmortem. The “Kuduli rape” had been a major issue ever since the victim alleged that four armed men in ‘camouflage combat uniform had raped her’.

Police investigations, medical reports, probe by the human rights protection cell had all countered the charge and stated there was no sign of rape. It might be recalled that entire state was shocked at the alleged rape of a school going girl while she was returning home from market in Kunduli of Semiliguda block in October last year .

While she had alleged that four men in uniform had raped her , agitation by locals and politicians from blocking national highway and a road march from her village to Koraput had brought the issue to national attention. She was admitted in Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital , Koraput where amidst tight security the issue got more critical for the non disclosure of medical report for a long time .

Media was not allowed to meet the girl while video footage from the social activists and politicians who frequently visited her in the hospital got viral with words & action from the girl accusing the state .

Family members too were strong in their act of blaming the administration and police in particular and demanding justice to the girl on the form of rehabilitation, financial compensation to the girl and arrest of the alleged culprits. Counselling of the girl took place by experts from Bhubaneswar .

She was shifted to children’s care centre and residential schools number of times. She complained of stomach ache while staying in a school hostel at Kotpad, she was transferred to SCB Medical college in Cuttack after she had consumed several iron tablets. On Monday, the victim is said to have been found dead.

She had bolted the door from inside when her family members had gone out. They returned and found the door closed, she also did not respond to their calls. They finally broke the door and found her dead. She was rushed to Kunduli hospital where she was declared dead.

At the time of filing this report her body was kept in Kunduli hospital and locals were not ready to handover the dead body for postmortem. As reports of her suicide spread, the Congress and BJP hit the streets damning the Naveen Patnaik government. A BJD procession marched towards the CM’s residence at Bhubaneswar but was prevented by the police.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took a dig at the CM saying, “The Best Administrator and Ideal CM ought to have exhibited humanity and minimal sensitivity to such a case, he happens to be the home minister too. Blowing ones own trumpet , getting awards hold no meaning to the poor tribal victim family”.

The Congress charged that the minor girl had lost faith in the administration and was tormented to such an extent that she ended her life. The government owes an explanation to the people, it said. CM Naveen Patnaik who had earlier ordered a judicial probe into the alleged rape, on Monday expressed grief and conveyed his sympathy to the bereaved family.