Cuttack: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has intervened into an alleged police torture to a social activist in Jajpur district.
The rights body has sent a team to Jajpur to probe the incident. At the same time, the OHRC has sought a report on the incident from Jajpur district superintendent of police (SP).
OHRC member Justice Raghuveer Das directed Jajpur SP to submit the report within four weeks.
It has been alleged that Panikoili police in Jajpur district had detained social activist Tapan Padhi from the latter’s residence at Choudwar in Cuttack district March 17, this year.
Police kept Padhi in custody for two days before sending him to jail. As per the allegation, police had physically tortured Padhi in custody.
The incident came to light when a group from the civil society met Padhi in Jajpur sub-jail March 21.
Subsequently, social activists Ashok Nanda, Pradeep Pradhan and Akhand had met OHRC member Justice Das and raised the issue.
Acting upon an order of the OHRC, a team led by a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) met Padhi in jail and recorded his statement.
