Taking suo motu cognizance of gangster SK Hyder’s death in an ‘encounter’, the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Monday issued notice to the Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department), Director General of Police (DGP), DG Prisons and the Twin City Police Commissioner, seeking reports within four weeks time.
The matter will come up for hearing on September 6, 2021.
In its order, the Commission stated that from media reports it learnt that prisoner, SK Hyder, was being shifted to the Baripada Central jail from Choudwar Circle jail on July 24. As per media reports, at 3.20 pm while Hyder was taken by the escort party, at Simulia, he attempted to flee by snatching the gun from one member of the escort party and threatened to fire at the police party, which forced the cops to fire at him, the report stated.
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He was taken to a hospital at Balasore immediately where he was declared dead, the OHRC order read.
“The Commission having taken note of the fact about the said incident, takes suo motu cognizance of the matter,” the Commission observed in the notice.
Meanwhile, the Police Inspector who led the escort party which shifted Hyder from Choudwar Circle jail, filed an FIR in connection with the encounter at the Simulia police station on Monday, detailing the event and circumstances leading to the encounter on the fateful day wherein the police had to fire three rounds at the gangster.
Hyder, who had suffered multiple bullet wounds had died at the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital moments after his admission. His body was handed over to his family members on Sunday following post mortem even as prohibitory orders were clamped in his home town, Kendrapada, as a precautionary measure to prevent any possible law and ordered problem.
Hyder’s widow has disputed the police version and claimed that the encounter had been staged to eliminate her husband.