The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently issued a show cause notice to the State Chief Secretary asking why compensation would not be provided to the four youths, who were detained illegally at Begunia police station over eve-teasing charges on last May 3, 2013.
The direction was issued by the NHRC over the issue after rights activist Akhand brought the matter to NHRC by lodging a complaint. Akhand alleged that one Hemant Nayak had died in police custody at Begunia police station in Khurda district. As per the complaint, Hemant and three others were detained at Begunia police station on May 3, 2013 on the charge of eve-teasing. While the other three returned home later, the mutilated body of Hemant was found hanging in a tree near Badaberana village on May 5, 2013. The local residents alleged that the police had severely beaten and killed Hemant and then hanged the body to give it a colour of suicide.
Dr lenin of PVCHR, RH Bansal, Rakesh Verma and Tejang Chakma also made complaints and requested the NHRC Commission to inquire into the alleged incident.
It is evident from an inquiry report of Collector, Khordha that Heman
and the other three boys were illegally detained at the police station for nearly 24 hours. The police had not registered any criminal case against the four boys and still they were detained at the police station. When there was no criminal case registered against the four boys, the police could not have detained them. While the Commission finds no reason to hold the police liable for the death of Hemant, it is established prima facie that Hemant and the other three boys were illegally deprived of liberty.
The complainants said that the next of kin of Hemant and the other three boys deserved be compensated for illegal detention. They pleaded that a notice be issued to the State Government requiring it to show cause why monetary relief of Rs 50,000 each be not recommended to be paid to Pabitra Nayak, Satya alias Munda Nayak, Somanath alias Sonu Swain and the next of kin of deceased Hemant. The Chief Secretary has been asked recently to reply to the show cause notice within six weeks.