The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has recently issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of Odisha over illegal confinement of 20 girl students by police.
Supreme Court lawyer and activist Radhakanta Tripathy moved the NHRC stating the case of illegal confinement due to high handedness of Odisha police and demanded immediate intervention on the alleged matter.
Notably, on December 4 last, the illegal confinement of a group of students by police in the Ramadevi Women’s University triggered protests. Around 20 students were allegedly locked in a room of Rama Devi Women’s College on the inauguration ceremony of the varsity.
The girls were kept under house arrest. As a result, their right to life, right to speech and right to liberty were violated. The police did not follow the rule of law in keeping the students under house arrest. The procedure of law has also been flouted. The failure of the State Government to act over the issue and the highhanded attitude of the police amounts to serious violation of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to direct the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police to take legal action against the errant officials and pay compensation of Rs 25,000 each to the victims and direct the State to expedite the probe.
The apex human rights watchdog sought the reply from the authorities within four weeks after registering a case.