Odisha man forced to rub nose in own spit: NHRC seeks report

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Odisha government over the shocking incident where a man was allegedly made to rub his nose in own spit in Kendrapara district recently.

Taking suo-motu cognizance of media report, the NHRC has sought a report from Odisha Chief Secretary on the incident within six weeks. The Commission has also sought details on the status of investigation in connection with the case registered by the police.

“Examining the contents of the news report, the Commission has observed that the issues raised are of a very serious nature and right to dignity of the victims have been grossly violated,” the national rights body said in a statement.

It is pertinent to mention here that a Dalit family was allegedly tortured for not paying donation of Rs 500 for a puja in Odisha's Kendrapara district. As per reports, one of the family members was even subjected to a punishment of rubbing his nose in own spit in full public view at a kangaroo court in Tikhiri village under Marshaghai police limits.

As per the complaint, two villagers had visited the house of the youth at 10 pm on April 16 to collect contribution towards the village deity’s festival. An altercation broke out after his family members clarified them that they had already paid their contribution.

During the incident, the Sarpanch of the village with her supporters were standing in front of the house and they joined the two villagers and hurled caste abuses at the family. An FIR has been reportedly registered under various sections of the IPC and under relevant provisions of the Protection of the Scheduled Castes & the Scheduled Tribes Act, 1989.