A Sub-Inspector of Police of Sundargarh district, who faced criminal charges like murder about seven months back, has been moving scot-free.
Sources said Pragnya Pratim Jena, Officer In Charge (OIC) in Hatibari police station had detained one Jagmohan at his police station in November last, allegedly for gambling. He allegedly had beaten Jagmohan severely in the custody, due to which he had received multiple injuries. later, he along with some other policemen had dropped him near Pahadatolli area. Some local had noticed it at that time and had rushed Jagmohan to Hatibari Community Health Center and had informed his family members. But, he had succumbed at the VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla.
The death of Jagmohan had sparked strong resentment in the locality and thousands of locals had gheraoed the Hatibari police station, detaining the dead body of Jagmohan. The then SDPO along with other police officials had promised to provide Rs 51,000 towards treatment of Jagamohan, besides service to one of his family members. Although, the aggrieved locals had agreed to the proposal and called off the demonstration, a few days later, Suka Badaik, wife of Jagamohan had sent a registered post letter to Hatibari police station addressing to OIC alleging that his husband was beaten to death by OIC PP Jena.
After getting the registered post letter, Hatibari police station brought this to the notice of the then Sundargarh SP Nikhil Kanodia and as per the direction of the SP, a murder case was registered under IPC section 302 against OIC Jena. Few days later, Jena was transferred from Hatibari PS to Police headquarters, Sundargarh, where he is working now.
Since, no action was initiated, except the transfer, Biramitrapur MlA George Tirkey had demanded immediate arrest of the accused sub inspector and compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the victim.
Sundargarh police claim the case had been handed over to the HRPC, Cuttack. “This case has been handed over to State HRPC and they are investigating this case,” said Sundargarh SP Pinaj Mishra.