Badagada PS Custodial Death: OHRC Directs Police Commissionerate To Submit Report
Bhubaneswar, April 20: Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Wednesday directed the Commissionerate of Police, Bhubaneswar to submit a detailed report on the custodial death of a 45-year-old vegetable vendor in Badagada Police station by May 20 next.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the custodial death of the vendor who was picked up by police patrolling team for alleged commission of a theft of a bicycle, published in almost all the local dailies and telecast by the electronic media on April 19 last, the Commission issued the direction.
In its order, the Rights body said as the issue appears to be serious in nature it was taken up suo motu after discussion and consent of the Chairperson.
It is alleged that Police are not sure about the actual name of the deceased Pradip Sahoo or Debendra Choudhury. News reports also reported that the wife of the deceased alleged that the victim succumbed to the physical torture in Police custody. It is also alleged that the victim, when fell sick, was shifted to the capital hospital, Bhubaneswar where he was declared brought dead.
The Commission said the news raised many questions regarding the conduct of the Police while a person is in custody. In the present case, prima facie case, allegations of custodial violence cannot be ruled out, the commission observed.
Taking a serious view of the matter, the OHRC asked the Commissionerate Police to submit a detailed report on the matter addressing the issues raised in the news items, with a copy of the post mortem report and other relevant documents by May 20 next, the date fixed by the commission for the next hearing.
