Giri8217;s allegation to be probed

BHUBANESWAR, July 10: The statement of Mohini Giri, chairperson of National Commission for Women, that 50 per cent inmates of a working wome...

BHUBANESWAR, July 10: The statement of Mohini Giri, chairperson of National Commission for Women, that 50 per cent inmates of a working womens8217; hostel here were prostitutes sparked off a furore in the Orissa Assembly today with a minister demanding her arrest.

Chief Minister JB Patnaik said he would conduct an inquiry into the matter and inform the House about the findings.

He, however, said that Giri, who met him yesterday, did not inform him about her findings.

Members, cutting across party lines, condemned Giri8217;s statement saying it had 8220;lowered the dignity of women in the State.8221;

8220;It is a slur on the image of women in Orissa,8221; Minister of State for Excise Suresh Kumar Routray said demanding Giri8217;s arrest. 8220;She should not be allowed to move out of Bhubaneswar,8221; he added.

The issue was raised by Narsingh Mishra JD who said that Giri8217;s statement was 8220;shameless8221;. Stating that the statement had lowered the prestige of women, Mishra said that the Chief Minister should give a statement on thematter in the House.

Leader of Opposition Ramakrushna Patnaik said that a House committee should be set up to inquire into the matter.

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He demanded that a criminal case be filed against Giri if what she had said could not be substantiated.

Biswabhusan Harichandan of the Bharatiya Janata Party also criticised Giri and demanded an inquiry into the matter. Ganeswar Behera Congress also condemned her statement.

Panchanan Kanungo Biju Janata Dal and Surendranath Nayak Janata Dal demanded a judicial probe. Balgopal Mishra Ind maintained that a sitting judge of the Supreme Court should probe into the matter which was 8220;very serious8221; in nature. Debi Mishra of the Biju Janata Dal and Prafulla Ghadei Janata Dal demanded that the Chief Minister give a statement on the issue. Ranendra Pratap Swain JD also criticised Giri8217;s statement.

Swain and Debi Mishra BJD drew the Speaker8217;s attention to the observation made by Giri. The NCW chairperson had said that Advocate General Indrajit Ray should beasked to quit or be sent on a long leave till the case on the Anjana Mishra controversy was over.