Bhubaneswar-based human rights defender Pradip Nayak has filed a petition before the Odisha Human Rights Commission against the custodial torture of a minor by an ASI and three others in Udutnagar police station of Rourkela.
Nayak in his petition has mentioned that a Class-IX orphan boy who is residing with his grant mother was picked up by the police on Saturday forenoon on an allegedly mobile theft case.
Though police nabbed him at about 11 am but instead of producing him before the Juvenile Justice Board or sending him to an observation home, the police brought him to the police station. There the victim was not only beaten brutally but also till 8 pm kept in the Hazat without any food. Later at about 9 pm he was undressed forcibly and given electric shock by the ASI and three more police staff. Even police took away a mobile phone of the victim which he had bought for his online classes. The victim was also told by the police not to go to hospital, neither reveal the incidents occurred to him in police station.
According to Nayak, the police action is complete violation of JJ (C&P) Act 2000 and 2015, besides violation of Supreme Court guidelines on DK Basu judgment. This is also violation of rights of the child to life, protection, education, parental care and affection with dignity.
Nayak urged the commission to recommend urgently to the SP, Rourkela for a speedy inquiry and submit the report early. There may be appropriate official proceedings against the guilty police personnel, he said and added that financial compensation to the victim may also be provided.
The OHRC has issued notice to the SP Rourkela to initiate an enquiry into the matter and submit a report to the commission by February 15.