The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Secretary over police atrocities committed against common men in the State.
In August last year, a Havildar namely Chitranjan Malik and Constables Arun Mohanty and Santosh Maharana of K Nuagaon police station allegedly snatched Rs2,000 from victim Kela Malik of Tilak Panga village and they also abused him and his wife Pravasini in filthy language.
The NHRC has been monitoring the case filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
Pursuant to the directions of the NHRC the Kandhamal SP submitted his report which revealed that on August 22, 2015 three police personnel went to the house of the victim and falsely charged him for his involvement in a criminal case. They threatened him for his immediate arrest and asked to give them Rs50,000 if he wanted to be released. Out of fear, the victim brought Rs20,000 from a nearby merchant and gave the same to the police personnel.
After taking money, the trio returned to the PS. On the same day the victim along with fellow villagers came to the K Nuagaon PS to report the matter to the IIC. As IIC was absent, all three errant police personnel again went to his house and abused him in filthy language and threatened to arrest him if he reported the matter to the IIC. Meanwhile, the three police personnel have been placed under suspension likely to be charge-sheeted, the SP reported. The commission in its latest order directed the Chief Secretary to show cause as to why a monetary compensation of Rs25,000 should not be recommended to be paid to the victim within six weeks. Meanwhile, the petitioner urged the commission to enhance the compensation amount.