TV
Narayanpatna police in Koraput district registered a suo motu case after a couple was allegedly tied and paraded like bullocks by a ‘kangaroo court’ in Peda Itigi village under Borigi panchayat recently. The extrajudicial punishment was reportedly carried out after the couple married within the same clan, violating local customs. Several villagers have been detained in connection with the incident.
The couple, who had earlier eloped and started living together, was publicly punished by villagers as part of what was described as a traditional ‘purification’ ritual. In front of the entire village, they were tied together with a rope and yoked like bullocks. Just as animals are tied while ploughing, the young couple was forced to undergo the same act as punishment.
Act Captured On Video & Circulated Online
The incident, which took place in a tribal-dominated area of Narayanpatna block, was captured on video and widely circulated on social media, triggering widespread outrage. Despite the disturbing visuals, no formal FIR was initially lodged. However, police launched a probe and registered a case on their own initiative, treating the matter with urgency.
Law Minister Condemns Act, Terms It Immoral and Illegal
Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Monday strongly condemned the incident, saying, “These are completely immoral acts. Hateful practices like kangaroo courts or similar actions will never be encouraged in the State of Odisha. The Odisha Government has already initiated the process to take strict action against this incident with full transparency. Anyone involved in such acts will be punished as per the law. Such incidents occur due to lack of awareness, and if influential individuals engage in these practices, it causes serious harm to society.”
On the other hand, the Law Minister said such punishment is a hateful custom and an illegal act. Due to lack of awareness, such things are happening. But whoever takes law into hand will be punished, said the Law Minister.
Pattern Raises Concern In Tribal Areas
This case is not the first of its kind. A similar incident was reported just days earlier in Kalyansinghpur block of Rayagada district, where another couple faced a humiliating punishment for marrying within the same clan.
In both cases, the punishments were meted out publicly, caught on video, and shared online, raising serious concerns over the persistence of discriminatory customs and kangaroo courts in Odisha’s tribal regions.
