The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought action-taken reports (ATRs) from the Kandhamal Collector and SP over alleged sale of kidney by a Dalit youth of the district.
Acting on a complaint filed by rights activist Akhand, the NHRC on Wednesday asked the two senior officers to file ATRs in the matter within four weeks.
Akhand alleged in his complaint that one Kanhu Behera (20) had sold one of his two kidneys to a man in Brahmapur for Rs 3.5 lakh this April. He also alleged that the kidney transplant was done at a hospital in Sri lanka.
Kanhu, the only son of a daily wage earner Barun Behera of Harijan Sahi of Phulbani, did odd jobs to help his father run the family and had to discontinue his studies due to acute poverty, he said in his petition.
After coming in contact with a broker, Kanhu decided to sell one of his kidneys to pay for construction of a house for his family, Akhand said.
“Due to acute poverty a poor boy was forced to sell one his kidneys. The family doesn’t have a BPl card and has received no Government assistance yet. No action has been taken against the people behind the illegal act,” alleged Akhand.