Bhadrak (Odisha) [India], December 28 (ANI): Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das met with the family members of the minor who was allegedly raped and murdered in Chandbali and demanded Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia from the state government.

A minor was allegedly raped and murdered in the Chandbali area of Odisha on December 24.

Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Bhakta Charan Das said that the family of the victim is demanding immediate relief and capital punishment for the perpetrator.

The Congress leader said, 'I met the family members of the victim. The family and the locals are demanding immediate relief, and the culprit should be hanged. Police protection should be given to the family of the victim. The CM has declared ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh, which should be given. We are demanding Rs 50 lakh.'

In an X post, Bhakta Charan Das demanded a 'decisive and exemplary action' in the case, while stating that justice must not be delayed or denied.

'Met the grieving family of the little girl who was brutally raped and murdered in Chandbali, Bhadrak.I strongly demand the strictest possible punishment for the culprit and adequate compensation for the family. Justice must not be delayed, diluted or denied. This heinous crime demands decisive and exemplary action,' the Congress State President wrote.

Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said that the police arrested the accused within 24 hours and declared it a 'red flag' case.

'An inhuman incident occurred in Chandbali. The police not only identified him but also arrested him within 24 hours. We have declared this case a red flag case. District police have been asked to complete the investigation at the earliest. After that, we will try to ensure that the prosecution is done at the earliest so that the accused can be strictly punished and a message reaches society that perpetrators of such crimes will not be spared,' the police official said. (ANI)