In another instance of cruelty of Kangaroo courts in Odisha, a couple accused of theft was dragged out of their house, tied to a tree and beaten up mercilessly by villagers.
The incident occurred not in the State’s tribal or undeveloped region but at Baramundali village under Balikuda block in the coastal district of Jagatsinghpur.
Even though a complaint was registered by the victim couple at the Balikuda police station, they were not given justice. The couple along with their two children is spending winter nights on footpath as they are not allowed to enter the village.
The couple is identified as Golekh Bahalia and his wife Sabitri.
According to reports, Golekh and Sabitri were dragged out of their house by the villagers and tied to a tree near a pavilion for allegedly committing theft. The villagers brutally thrashed them, torturing them for three hours. later, they were confined in a house.
Reports said that a few days back Kailash Bahalia of the village had alleged theft from his house. The villagers took help of a sorcerer to identify the thief. On basis of what the sorcerer said, Kailash and his family members allegedly barged into Golekh’s house on November 7 and dragged him and his wife in the presence of the couple’ two children and old mother. They fastened their hands and legs with rope and tied to a tree and started beating them mercilessly.
AfterGolekh’s mother approached the Anantpur police outpost, two constables rescued the couple locked in a room. Golekh was taken to the outpost, from where he was shifted to the Balikuda police station. When his wife complained against the villagers, police officials abused her.
The victims have warned of self-immolation along with other family members if they do not get justice. On the other hand, the police have assured to take appropriate action against the accused after investigation.
The incident took place after the sorcerer took Golekh and his family’s name in the alleged theft. Action would be taken after the probe, said Balikuda IIC RK Prusty