Joda: In a case of mistaken identity, police allegedly picked up a person and tortured him physically and mentally in Bamebari area of Keonjhar district before arresting the real culprit. The victim, Rajendra Mahakud, of Belda, was also kept hungry by Bamebari police.
A complaint in this regard was lodged with Odisha State Human Rights Commission (OSHRC) in Bhubaneswar recently. In the complaint lodged by Kalpalata Mahakud of Belda village, it was alleged that a police team from Bamebari led by sub-inspector Pratibha Sahu knocked on the door of Kalpalata on the night of October 8, saying that there was an arrest warrant against her husband Rajendra Mahakud.
When Kalpalata wanted to see the warrant, the police refused to show it. Police insisted that the search warrant was in the name of Rajendra Mahakud of Nambira. Despite her denial, police dragged Rajendra from his house. Rajendra, earlier wounded in an accident, was under treatment and unable to walk. Police allegedly abused the family and threatened to arrest Kalpalata’s 17-year-old son before taking Rajendra to the police station.
Kalpalata had tried to convince the police that another person in the name of Rajendra Mahakud was in the same village. But the police did not pay heed and asked Kalpalata to bring the other person. Later, police arrested the real accused and set Rajendra free.
However, sub-inspector Pratibha Sahu denied the allegation of torture on Rajendra. Sahu explained that Rajendra had been brought to the police station for verification and released after the accused was arrested.
IIC Paresh Kumar Mohanty said the case had happened in 2000 and a warrant had been issued against Rajendra Mahakud.
Rajendra was released after his voter identity card and Aadhaar were produced before them, he added.
PNN