The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued show cause notice to the Chief Secretary of Odisha on the issue of arrest of two persons on a false case of murder when the person stated to be the deceased is alive.
While considering the separate petitions and subsequent rejoinders filed by activist-lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy and the reports submitted by the CB-CID and other State officials, the NHRC passed the order.
Tripathy in his petition stated that lili Naik, a helpless lady had been forced to stay in a rehab home with her little baby even though she could live with her husband. The Morada police of Mayurbhanj arrested her husband and brother allegedly without verification of facts.
The police declared lili dead and arrested her husband Sukadev Naik and her brother Sudam Si on the charges of killing her. Both the innocent persons were forced to confess a crime that never happened due to custodial torture. It had been further stated that she had been waiting for the last four months to give her statement that she is alive. She is now staying with her 20 month old baby at a short stay home in Baripada.
Tripathy contended that though media reported the matter, yet the Public Relations Officer of the State or of the district had not reported the same to the concerned department so that action could have been initiated in the matter.
The negligence of the police in investigating the case of illegal arrest and custodial torture therefore amounts to serious violation of basic human rights of all the victims including lili, her husband and her brother, the petitioner stated urging the commission to direct the Odisha Government to compensate the victims.
Meanwhile, after the NHRC order, two cops have been booked for their negligence in investigation. However, they are out on bail.