Bolangir/Kantabanji: Police Sunday arrested 12 persons of Sargiguda village under Kantabanji police limits in Bolangir district for garlanding the local sarpanch’s husband with slippers and parading him through the village suspecting his character. He was identified as Dinabandhu Putel (40), husband of Karuanmunda panchayat sarpanch.
Two separate cases were registered and the 12 accused were produced in court. They were later remanded in judicial custody after their bail pleas were rejected. Similarly, Putel was also produced in court over a counter complaint lodged by the villagers against him. He was later remanded in judicial custody after the court rejected his bail plea.
According to sources, Putel was known for his indecent behaviour and was warned by locals to mend his ways. Tension flared in the village over Putel’s repeated incidents of misbehaviour. Fearing threat to his life from the locals, Putel reportedly fled the village after protests against him intensified in the village.
Meanwhile, some locals got together and decided to teach Putel a lesson. After living outside the village for a while, Putel returned to a neighbouring village August 24. Some locals who came to know of this kidnapped Putel and brought him back to the village.
Later, locals gathered together and pelted eggs at him. They made him wear a garland made of slippers and paraded him through the village. Meanwhile, some youths recorded the act on their mobile phones.
On learning of the incident, the sarpanch rushed to the spot and pleaded with the locals to pardon her husband. However, no one listened to her pleas. Later, Putel again left the village and is reportedly taking shelter at a relative’s house in Narla of Kalahandi district.
Again, he himself returned and lodged a written complaint against 14 persons with Kantabanji police. Police registered a case and arrested 12 persons after an investigation. One of the accused was a handicapped and hence was set free while the main accused was absconding, Kantabanji IIC Jyotirmayee Bhukta said. PNn
