Taking a serious note of alleged police highhandedness on a couple of Sarsara village in Boudh district, human rights activist Srikumar Mahanta filed a petition in the Union Home Ministry and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
It may be noted that a team led by Inspector In-charge of Boudh Police Station Priti Manjari Garnaik raided Sarsara village on Wednesday night in search of a man, belonging to Sampoach village in connection with a cattle theft case.
Finding the accused nowhere at the village, the police picked up a couple in suspicion that they might know about his whereabouts. Garnaik allegedly assaulted both of them during the interrogation.
While Padmini’s condition became critical, the police admitted her to the District Headquarters Hospital.
Padmini and her husband had been picked up from their village without being told the reason. When they asked the police why they were being taken to the police station, they were said nothing. Garnaik insisted Padmini to give her information on the man whom she did not even know. As Padmini could not divulge any information, Garnaik became furious and thrashed her with a stick for which Padmini was hospitalized and unable to sit or walk.
Activist Mahanta told in his petition that this was clear violation of human rights of the couple and urged the Union Home Ministry and the NHRC to direct the Chief Secretary of Odisha to conduct a judicial inquiry and take action against the errant.