Odisha MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria resigns over Kunduli rape, says failed to ensure justice to victim

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Bhubaneswar: Koraput MLA Krushna Chandra Sagaria resigned from the Odisha State Assembly on Tuesday, claiming that he has no moral right to hold the position after failing to get justice for the Kundli gangrape victim who committed suicide earlier this year.

“As a MLA from Koraput I have failed to ensure justice to Kunduli rape victim even after a year of the incident. So, I resigned today,” said the Odisha Congress leader, adding, “If I am unable to give justice to a poor dalit girl using the constitutional post, I have no moral rights of holding the position anymore.”

On October 10 last year, a 14-year-old girl from Musaguda village was allegedly raped by four men while she was returning home from a market under Pottangi police limits in Kunduli area inder Koraput district. On January 22, 2018, the minor victim committed suicide citing police inaction in the rape case.

State-wide protests emerged, forcing police to declare it as a ‘Red-flag’ case.

Till date, not a single accused has been arrested in the case, said Sagaria.

“My resignation is a symbol of protest. I've resigned also to create awareness among people,” he added.