Puri minor girl set on fire: Hunt for accused continues, police probe CDRs

Puri, July 21: Two days after a minor girl was brutally set on fire in Balanga area of Puri district, the police are yet to trace the three accused involved in the crime. The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, has raised serious questions about public safety and law enforcement preparedness.

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Despite intensified efforts, investigators remain puzzled over how such a heinous act could be carried out so openly. Adding to the challenge are inconsistencies in the statements of the victim’s family members and two of her friends who are currently in custody.

As the case grows more complex, police have turned to Call Detail Records (CDR) as a crucial investigative tool. CDRs of eight individuals, including the victim’s relatives, friends, and an acquaintance from another community, have been sought. Investigators are currently examining three months’ worth of communication data.

A senior police officer confirmed that only two houses along the Balanga-Haripur road, where the attack occurred, have CCTV surveillance. However, the nearest functional camera, located about 2-3 km away failed to capture any suspicious movement. A camera situated just 500 meters from the spot was found to be non-operational.

Repeated questioning of the victim’s family and friends has failed to yield clarity. On Sunday, the police took the victim’s paternal aunt to an undisclosed location for further interrogation. While the family claims the girl had gone to a relative’s house to collect a parcel, investigators doubt the narrative, citing the unlikelihood of any legitimate parcel delivery between 7 to 8 AM, the time mentioned.

Top police officials, including DGP Y.B. Khurania, Central Range IG S. Praveen Kumar, and Puri SP Pinak Mishra, visited the crime scene on Sunday. They also met Dukhi Shyam Senapati of Terahala village, who had rescued the injured minor, and later visited the girl’s native village for a ground-level assessment.

Meanwhile, a forensic team from the State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) collected key evidence from the site. This included burnt portions of the victim’s clothing, debris from the roadside, and materials from locations where she is believed to have sat, consumed water, and changed clothes after the attack.

Police officials say that the investigation is ongoing with all angles under scrutiny, and leads from the CDR analysis are expected to shed light on the identity and whereabouts of the assailants.