Rape victim’s father seeks ban on film

Bhubaneswar: The father of a minor rape and murder victim on Tuesday met deputy CM KV Singhdeo, seeking a ban on the release of an Odia film.The film, he claimed, was based on his daughter’s case and was made without seeking his permission and even as the case is pending in high court.

He submitted a letter to Singhdeo, alleging that the film misinterprets the crime.“The case is pending in the high court and, until the court gives its verdict, we will not allow any film to be released on it,” he told the media.The deputy CM assured him that he would forward his letter to industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain, whose ministry looks into the administration of Odia film industry.Earlier, the girl’s father had met law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and requested him and culture minister Suryabanshi Suraj to watch the film and ascertain whether it is based on the incident. He had also written to chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi and chief secretary Anu Garg, demanding a CBI inquiry into the case.The film is scheduled to be released on Jan 30. Trouble stared when the film’s lead actor, during its music release recently, told the media that the film is based on the rape and murder of the girl in Nayagarh district in 2020.