Ranpur: Kangaroo courts handing down their own judgments to some innocent people are soon going to be new normal in Nayagarh district.
The recent victim of such Kangaroo court is Sarbeswar Sahoo, a resident of Khatia village under Darpanarayan outpost of Ranpur police limits. As per the decision of a mock court here, he has been ostracised and on failing to deposit the pronounced fine (Rs. 90,000), the court threatens him with thorny twigs upon his doorsteps.
Though the matter has been reported at the police station, alleged police inaction has fumed villagers.
Sources said, Sarbeswar’s family has been in good relation with Bidulata Pradhan’s family. A few months ago, Bidulata’s husband died in a road mishap.
Thereafter, the villagers over some unknown reasons asked Sarbeswar to cut off his family’s any relationship with Bidulata’s family. Defying the dictation, Sarbeswar helped Bidulata’s family with articles like rice and other necessities on the 10th day observance.
The villagers took defiance to Sarbeswar not following the dictation. Three months ago, they sat their kangaroo court where a fine of Rs 90, 000 was imposed on Sarbeswar. If he fails to pay the fine within a month from the judgment day, he has to cough up both the fine amount and a 10 percent interest on it, the court pronounced.
Finding no one taking his side, he went to Drapanarayanpur outpost and lodged a written complaint, hoping at least the police would stand by him.
But that did not happen. Taking the advantages of the police not taking the case seriously, the villagers went on more virulent and ostracised Sarbeswar’s family.
Finding no other way out, he finally gave Rs 5200 to the village court October 30 and said that giving the rest of the amount was not possible on his part.
But the villagers stuck to their guns and threatened him with strict action like thorny tree branches being laid in front of his house and denial of water from village well and ponds if he does not pay the fine.
Sarbeswar reregistered a case against 10 more villagers at Ranpur police station but no action has been taken so far against the villagers who have taken law into their hands, some villagers on the condition of anonymity alleged.
PNN