The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) sought Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Superintendent of Police of Koraput and the Inspector General of Prisons of Odisha on a case of a minor innocent student languishing in jail.
Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy moved the apex human rights panel over the issue as illegal arrest and
denial of legal aid to the victim pose serious threat to his human rights.
In Malkangiri district, Gangadhar Badanayak, son of a poor person, a minor student of Kenduguda village, has been languishing in Koraput Jail after being falsely branded as a Maoist. He has been tortured in custody and denied his basic human rights. Since he belongs to a poor and illiterate family of a remote area, he could not get justice till date. Even if he does not attain the age of 18, he has been kept in a jail. He has been crying for justice and may die soon, Tripathy pointed out.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case and direct the State to take legal action against the errant officials, pay compensation of `10 lakh to the victim and ensure his basic human rights.