The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has once again asked the IG of Police (HR), Cuttack to submit a status report of the investigation on the Sarathi Baba case and MlCs of the people who had been injured during the lathi-charge at Baba’s Ashram in Kendrapada in August 2015.
The NHRC issued this direction on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy. The petitioner had requested the NHRC to investigate the case by a special rapporteur and direct the Chief Secretary and the DGP to immediately release all those arrested and provide medical treatment to the injured. Besides, he urged the NHRC to ask the Government to pay adequate compensation to all the victims of police brutality in Kendrapara district.
In his earlier reply, the IGP, Cuttack had stated that around 700 persons had agitated and turned violent at the Ashram on August 5 and 6 demanding arrest of Sarathi Baba. The mob had pelted stones at the policemen on duty. On apprehension of a further law and order situation there, the SP had directed the force to disperse the agitators. Accordingly, the force chased away the agitators by means of cane-charge and, in the process some vehicles kept on the roadside were damaged. Mamta Samantray who led the agitation was arrested and forwarded to the court.
Tripathy further, in a rejoinder, stated that the one-page report of the IGP was an eye-wash and didn’t substantially cover the entire episode. law and order had been completely collapsed in Kendrapada town as police cracked down on protestors then. Some mediapersons had also been injured. The police had alos arrested former Kendrapada district BJP president and lawyer Duryodhan Sahu. The police had also warned reporters not to record the incident.
He pointed out that the Religious Institutions Prevention of Misuse Act, 1988 had not been used sincerely. This was one of the few incidents of fraudulent activities of the self-proclaimed Babas of the State. As the State administration had been silently watching people being deceived by the Baba, a time came when public opposed the Baba’s illegal acts vehemently. Even, the the Ashram had been given Gochar and other Government land.