Kendrapada: A three-member National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team Tuesday began a ground investigation into allegations that a Dalit woman sarpanch was assaulted by police and a BDO in Odisha’s Kendrapada district.
Tikhiri gram panchayat sarpanch Chameli Ojha had alleged that she was assaulted by police after questioning officials over pending payments for development works and alleged irregularities in the panchayat.
The NHRC team, comprising Deputy Superintendent of Police Isam Singh, Gugan Ram and Shashi Bala Sharma, arrived in Kendrapada Monday night to investigate a complaint filed by Ojha.
The inquiry began at Mahakalapada police station, where the team recorded the statements of then IIC Manas Kumar Mallick and other police personnel. It later questioned Mahakalapada BDO Rabi Narayan Acharya and other block officials.
The team subsequently visited Ojha at her residence in Tikhiri and recorded her statement and those of local villagers.
Ojha has alleged that she was abused and assaulted by police after being taken from the BDO’s office on June 11.
She claimed the incident followed her demand for clearance of pending bills for development works in her panchayat and allegations that officials were obstructing the projects.
During its four-day inquiry, the NHRC team is expected to record statements of eyewitnesses, doctors at the Kendrapada district headquarters hospital and others connected with the case.
It will also examine official records and available video footage and scrutinise the police and administrative versions of the incident, officials said.
It was also alleged that Ojha was implicated in a criminal case registered on the BDO’s complaint, and booked under charges including attempt to murder, causing hurt and obstructing a public servant.
The NHRC subsequently sought a report from the Kendrapada district magistrate and superintendent of police. The SP reported that three FIRs had been registered in connection with the incident and described them as cross-cases.
Ojha had earlier approached Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, alleging that officials were withholding payments for completed development works.
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