Baripada: The body of an elderly woman was left to rot for two days after her son, an under-trial prisoner failed to avail parole from the court due to the ongoing cease-work agitation by lawyers.
The family had held up the last rites of the woman as it could not bring the elder son of the deceased on bail. With no options left, the deceased’s younger son lit her pyre. The deceased was identified as Sombari Soren (60).
The incident was reported from Sikarghati village under Baripada Sadar police limits in Mayurbhanj district, Tuesday.
According to reports, Somabari’s elder son Sanjay Soren (35) was arrested for his alleged involvement in illegal liquor trade in the village October 9. Since then, he has been remanded in judicial custody.
Due to some illness, his ailing mother died at 8.30 pm Monday. As per Hindu tradition the last rites of the deceased person are generally performed by the elder son.
Though, the family tried to get parole for Sanjay, they failed in their attempt due to the lawyers’ agitation. The family further claimed that they also approached the jail authorities, who turned down their request.
Family members said, Sanjay’s wife Basanti even approached the jail superintendent at Mandal prison for Sanjay’s parole Tuesday. However, she failed to obtain permission after the plea didn’t reach the court due to the lawyers’ strike.
Later, Somabari’s younger son performed the last rites and cremated her in the village cremation ground.
“According to the law, it is the right of every prisoner to perform the last rites of his father and mother. My husband not getting the parole is an open violation of human rights,” Basanti said.
PNN
