The National Human Rights Commission has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Superintendent of Police of Malkangiri district with regard to rape of a tribal woman in full public view due to failure and inaction of the authorities.
Subsequently, the public instead of protecting the victim, captured the same in mobile and posted it on social networking sites which went viral, again due to inaction of the police.
Acting on a petition filed by rights campaigner and civil liberties lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights watchdog sought a reply within four weeks.
On August 9, Adma Madkami, working as a daily labourer in Udupa, raped a 35-year-old tribal woman on roadside near MV-84 village, in Malkangiri district. A native of Bhopawada village under Sindhiguda police limits in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh, the accused was taking shelter at the remote Kanjeli village of Udupa panchayat under Malkangiri police limits.
The incident came to light after video of the incident went viral in social media.
The tribal woman of Udupa village was returning from Padmagiri weekly market when she fell unconscious on the roadside near MV-84 village.
Taking advantage of the situation, Madkami, who was passing through the road, committed the crime in full public glare about 11.30 am. Instead of stopping him from committing the crime, many captured the act in their mobile phones and made it viral, Tripathy contended.
The woman victim has neither been rehabilitated nor paid any compensation. The video of heinous act has not been stopped by the Government machinery.
This is a classic case of failure of the entire State machinery, especially the police. Negligence and failure of the Government authorities in acting over the issue poses a serious question of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case, direct the Odisha DGP and the Secretary, WCD Department to act against the errant officials, send a detailed report and take legal action against the culprits.