Human rights activist Biswanath Patra and Odisha Goti Mukta Andolan advisor Baghambar Pattnaik have sought intervention of the Odisha State Human Rights Commission (OSHRC) in the death of one Madhusmita Das, who was allegedly killed by her husband’s family over dowry on September 22.
Madhusumita’s brother Rosan Hota of Balisahi in Puri said his sister had married one Puma Chandra Das, son of late Brundaban Chandra Das of Jagannath Bihar 2nd lane PKI, under the Paralakhemundi police station in Gajapati district on May 22, 2013.
Roshan said before marriage Rs 2 lakh was also given to his own elder brother Ganesh Das living in the same joint family. After marriage her husband Purna demanded more dowries time and again for which Madhusmita came two times to their house for the same. But due to paucity of funds, the complainant was not able to fulfill the demands of dowry and sent her back to her in-laws house with a small amount of money in her hand.
He alleged that thereafter Madhusmita was physically tortured at her husband house which was informed to him by his sister time and again. She requested him over phone on September 22, 2017 at 3 pm to take her back home as she was being harassed. But suddenly at 7 pm on the same day he got news from Purna that her sister was dead. Roshan alleged that her sister’s husband Purna his brother Ganesh, Santosh Dash, Subas Das and Sujata Das have conspired and killed her by pouring kerosene on her in the bath room. She was also not taken to the hospital.
He alleged that though the police have arrested only three accused, two others are still moving scotfree. He requested the OSHRC to direct the police to arrest the rest accused and order a Crime Branch inquiry into the matter as the local police are not cooperating with them.