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Odisha gangrape victim’s family not happy with minister’s dismissal, seeks CBI probe
Bhubaneswar, Jan 6 (IANS) The family of a gangrape victim in Odisha on Sunday said the resignation of minister Pradeep Maharathy does not ensure justice for their daughter as they demanded a CBI probe into the incident.
Odisha Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy on Sunday resigned from the cabinet for his controversial remarks hailing acquittal of gangrape accused by a local court.
Maharathy had resigned in 2012 as well for allegedly shielding the accused. Later, he became a minister again in 2014.
“We want justice for my daughter, not minister’s resignation. What we will get with his resignation. We want a proper investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI),” said the mother of the victim.
‘If she was his (Maharathy’s) daughter, would the minister have said the same thing? Maharathy’s resignation will not deliver justice to my child. I demand a CBI inquiry and will be happy only if she gets justice,’ said the father of the Pipili gangrape victim.
Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who visited the house of the victim family, also demanded a CBI inquiry into the gangrape and murder of the girl.
“A teenage girl in Pipili in Puri district was gangraped in 2011 and the accused were acquitted by the court. But the statements of Ministers in BJD government have hurt the people of Odisha more than the court judgement,” said Pradhan.
He also alleged that the victim’s family members are being threatened by the ruling party goons.
Senior Congress leader and Opposition leader Narasingh Mishra said the case was not properly investigated by the police to ensure justice to the deceased.
“It’s good that the state government and Maharathy have succumbed to public pressure and finally resigned. The case was neither properly investigated nor was it pursued sincerely by the police,” said Mishra.
Earlier in the day, Maharathy representing Pipli assembly constituency resigned as Agriculture and Panchayati Raj Minister from the Naveen Patnaik cabinet over his controversial remarks on the acquittal of two accused in the gangrape and murder case.
A local court had acquitted two persons arrested in connection with the case in December last year.
A 19-year-old girl was found unconscious and semi-naked in a paddy field in Pipili on November 28, 2011. She succumbed after remaining in a coma in SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on June 21, 2012.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.