Nabarangpur: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has intervened in an alleged case of social boycott involving the family of former Nabarangpur MLA Sadasiva Pradhani, directing the district collector to investigate the matter and submit an action-taken report (ATR) within four weeks. The complaint was filed by advocate Anup Kumar Patra, who alleged that Pradhani’s family had been socially boycotted over his daughter’s proposed marriage to a man from another community.
The NHRC registered a case (923/18/10/26) and directed the authorities concerned to take appropriate action in accordance with the law. According to the complaint, a meeting was held March 21, 2026 at Maa Danteswari temple in Dhamanaguda village under the leadership of Jagannath Majhi, Nabarangpur district president of the Akhil Bharatiya Bhatra Vikas Parishad. It was alleged that a decision was taken at the meeting to socially boycott and ostracise Pradhani’s family because his daughter intended to marry a man from another community.
Patra approached the NHRC March 23 under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, arguing that the alleged action violated the family’s personal liberty, human dignity and constitutional rights. He sought the commission’s intervention to ensure the family’s safety and secure justice. The complainant also alleged that former MP Pradeep Majhi and his family had previously faced similar measures over an inter-community marriage. He argued that such practices undermine social freedom and an individual’s right to choose a life partner.
In his petition, Patra urged the commission to ensure the family’s safety, order a high-level investigation and initiate legal proceedings against those responsible under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other applicable laws. He also called for awareness programmes to prevent social boycotts. After reviewing the complaint October 21, the apex rights body directed that it be forwarded to the relevant authorities for appropriate action under the law. The authorities were asked to investigate the allegations in consultation with the complainant and the affected family, inform them of the steps taken and submit an action taken report to the Commission within four weeks.
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