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Odisha student rape case: NSUI suspends student leader, Cong forms fact-finding panel

Bhubaneswar, July 21 (IANS) The Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) on Monday constituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the rape allegations against the party’s student wing president, Udit Pradhan, who has been suspended by the NSUI.

The OPCC President, Bhakta Charan Das, has directed the newly formed committee to thoroughly examine the incident, hold discussions with the complainant, and submit a detailed report to the state party headquarters at the earliest.

The committee comprises Barabati — Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous, OPCC Secretary Dr Debasmita Sharma, former MLA candidate Sonali Sahoo, OPCC Spokespersons Jayashree Patra and Manisha Das Pattnaik.

The Vice President of OPCC, Sasmita Behera, has been appointed as the Chairman of the fact-finding Committee.

In another significant development, Pradhan was suspended from the NSUI by its national President Varun Choudhury on Monday.

“In view of recent developments, the NSUI Odisha State President has been suspended with immediate effect, pending inquiry. NSUI maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards gender-based injustice and is unwavering in its commitment to accountability and justice. Our fight for justice for the Balasore victim will continue with full resolve,” reads the order.

Pradhan was arrested by Mancheswar Police in Bhubaneswar for allegedly raping a 19-year-old female engineering student after spiking her soft drink with intoxicants.

According to police sources, Udit was detained late Sunday night and is set to be produced before a court on Monday.

The arrest followed a formal complaint lodged by the survivor on Sunday.

Speaking to media persons, ACP Biswa Ranjan Senapati noted that on March 18, the girl had gone out with a friend, whom she identified as her boyfriend.

During the outing, Udit Pradhan allegedly joined them in a car. The girl reportedly did not initially recognise Pradhan, but later found out that he held a political position as the state president of NSUI.

The group eventually went to a hotel in the Mancheswar area where a party was held. The girl was allegedly offered drugs drug-spiked soft drink by Pradhan.

Senapati said the girl later stated that she felt unwell and asked to return home. When her condition worsened, her boyfriend left the place.

As per the complaint, when the girl regained consciousness, she discovered that she had been sexually assaulted. She was allegedly threatened and warned not to speak about the incident, which led her to remain silent for a while out of fear.

Police have also interrogated others who were allegedly present during the incident. “So far, four people have been identified to be involved, and two have already been questioned. The role of others is being examined,” the ACP added.

CCTV footage from the hotel is being analysed, and room booking details are under scrutiny to verify who booked the room and under whose name it was registered.

Further investigation is on to trace the hotel staff, other guests, and any digital evidence.

–IANS

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MP Cong chief Jitu Patwari’s car hit by truck in Sehore, escapes unhurt

Bhopal, Jan 30 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari’s vehicle was hit by a truck from behind near a toll plaza in Sehore on Thursday. Patwari, who was in the car at the time of the accident, escaped unhurt.

None of the occupants in the car were hurt, the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) told IANS.

The incident occurred when Patwari was going to Bhopal from Indore in his Fortuner car. When he reached the Fanda toll plaza located between Sehore and Bhopal, his car was hit by a truck from behind damaging the rear of the vehicle. However, Patwari, who was sitting in the front seat, suffered no injuries. His driver was also safe.

“Today, while I was going from Indore to Bhopal, a truck hit my car from behind near Sehore, causing an accident. By the grace of God, we all are safe, and there was no loss of life. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers! May you all continue to receive love and blessings,” Patwari posted a message on his social media account.

After the incident, the state Congress unit raised apprehension over the safety of Jitu Patwari and urged the state government to provide him with adequate security.

The incident took place in the Khajuri police station area, police reached the spot and investigated the accident.

Later, upon reaching Congress headquarters in Bhopal, Patwari briefed the media about the OBC reservation issue. He said the Kamal Nath-led Congress government had made provision for a 27 per cent reservation for OBC, which was deliberately opposed by the BJP during the hearing in the court.

Patwari’s statement on this issue came two days after the Madhya Pradesh High Court rejected one of the petitions filed to oppose the 27 per cent reservation to OBC. The court observed that it was the circular which was challenged in the petition and not the Act. However, the bench has maintained the stay on reservation of 27 per cent which it had ordered in 2020. Reacting to HC’s decision, former MP CM Kamal Nath said, “This is a victory of the Congress party’s policies. In March 2019, during my tenure as Chief Minister, I had given 27 per cent reservation to the OBC community in Madhya Pradesh.”

–IANS

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Oppn resubmits no-confidence motion against LS Speaker Birla after it hits snag over error

New Delhi, Feb 10 (IANS) The Opposition’s attempt to move a no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has run into trouble after technical errors were detected in the notice, in what is being described as a significant procedural lapse. The Congress party had to resubmit the motion with corrections made to it.

The notice repeatedly mentioned the year 2025 instead of 2026, breaching procedural requirements that mandate all details in such a motion must be accurate and factually correct. Following the mistake, the Congress party had to resubmit the motion with corrections.

The development has drawn attention as it comes on the heels of a similar incident in which a motion against then Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was rejected on technical grounds due to a spelling error in his surname.

The recurrence of such procedural lapses has added to the controversy surrounding the Opposition’s efforts.

While Opposition parties have accused Speaker Om Birla of functioning in a biased manner, the proposed motion is widely viewed as largely symbolic, given the numerical strength required for it to succeed.

The technical mistake, however, has caused considerable embarrassment for the Congress and its allies.

The move comes amid heightened tensions between the ruling government and Opposition parties, who have accused Speaker Om Birla of conducting proceedings of the House in a “blatantly partisan manner”.

Opposition parties submitted the notice of no-confidence against Speaker Om Birla under Article 94(c) of the Constitution on Tuesday.

Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi stated that the notice was formally submitted at 1:14 p.m. in accordance with Rule 94C of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Lok Sabha.

According to the Congress, the notice has been signed by 118 Members of Parliament.

The motion has received support from many parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. However, the Trinamool Congress has not signed the notice so far.

In the notice, Opposition MPs stated that Speaker Birla had repeatedly denied them the opportunity to raise matters of public importance during House proceedings, which they claim prompted the move to bring the no-confidence motion.

–IANS

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