39 days after incident, nun rape confirmed

After 39 days of the alleged rape of a nun in Kandhamal district, the Orissa Govt has asked the state crime branch to investigate the case, as a medical report has confirmed rape, reports HT Correspondent.

After 39 days of the alleged rape of a nun in Kandhamal district, the Orissa government has asked the state crime branch to investigate the case, as a medical report has confirmed rape.

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On August 25, the nun was abducted from her pastoral centre at K. Nuagaon in Baliguda sub-division of Kandhamal district, about 300 km from Bhubaneswar. She filed an FIR at the local police station on August 27. The government has also arrested four persons in connection with the case and suspended the local police station chief. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “Stringent action is being taken against those who have committed this shameful crime. Action is being taken and these inhuman acts will be severely punished.”

Inspector General of Police (Crime) Arun Ray, who will supervise the investigations, told Hindustan Times, “Though we have not yet received the official intimation, we have heard about the decision. Once the official intimation comes, I can speak on it.” Kandhamal district police chief Praveen Kumar said, “The medical report says that the nun was raped.” Inspector K.M. Rao, who has been suspended, told Hindustan Times, “I’m not in the right mental frame. Please don’t ask me any questions now.”

Earlier, Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, wrote to the CM, alleging the rape of the nun. Father Thomas Chellan, who was with the nun during the incident, was also brutally beaten up. And both of them lodged FIRs.