The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Mayurbhanj district Collector to take appropriate action on a petition for payment of compensation and proper rehabilitation of a poor tribal man for wrongly keeping him behind prison for 19 years.
While disposing the petition filed by civil rights activist and human rights lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy , the apex human rights panel of India passed the order on January 24.
The travesty of justice in the present case is Habil Sindhu, a poor man who was convicted in a triple murder case, was found innocent, after he was languishing in jail for almost 19 years. The victim Habil , a resident of Balarampur village under the Jashipur police limits of the Mayurbhanj district, was booked on charges of killing three of his neighbours, including a child. He was also accused of practising black magic, the plea stated.
Habil was arrested by police following a complaint registered with Jashipur police station in 2003. Subsequently, in 2005, the Additional District and Sessions Judge convicted Habil for committing three murders and sentenced him to life imprisonment. Later Habil challenged the district court's judgment in the Orissa High Court. Considering the sensitivity of the case, the court appointed an amicus curiae to probe the case. After due analysis of the investigation report and statements by the witnesses, the HC found Habil as completely innocent and directed the State to free him.