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"Both the police and the administration were aware that Kuttu Bai was planning to commit sati but they did not take any effective action to prevent it," Advani said.
She was addressing mediapersons on Friday night after visiting Tamoli Patna, 70 km from Panna, Madhya Pradesh, along with three other NCW members.
The police have so far arrested 15 people, Advani said, but pointed out that they should identify and arrest 'not only the spectators of Kuttu burning herself to death, but also those who were egging her on to do so'.
The delegation was unable to find a single eyewitness to the incident, with villagers telling them that the incident occurred on the spur of the moment.
NCW member Padma Seth, who accompanied Advani, said, "It is sad that a reprehensive tradition should be practiced even in the 21st century."
The Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident.
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