NHRC seeks report on alleged police inaction in Odisha labourer’s murder

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Odisha’s Jajpur district to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) on the alleged cover-up by local police in the brutal murder of a worker at a stone crusher unit.

The complainant, rights activist Srikant Pakal, alleged that the victim, a 22-year-old labourer, was brutally beaten with an iron rod on 27 April by his employer and associates of the Padmabati Crusher Unit, located under Rahadpur Gram Panchayat in Dharmashala Block of Jajpur district. The labourer succumbed to his injuries after battling for life for four days.

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Despite the gruesome assault that led to the victim’s death, the police allegedly failed to register a case, as the accused were reportedly backed by influential politicians, according to Pakal’s petition to the NHRC.

The victim’s family was allegedly forced to sign blank papers and threatened with dire consequences if they pursued legal action against the accused.

“The allegations made in the complaint prima facie appear to be serious violations of the human rights of the victim. The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided over by Member Priyank Kanoongo, has taken cognizance under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993,” the Commission stated in its order.

“The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Jajpur, with instructions to have the allegations inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks for the Commission’s perusal,” the order further stated.