A Kangaroo Court allegedly ostracised a family over political rivalry at Mirdhapalli village under Sadar police limits in Bolangir district on Wednesday.
It is being alleged that Mirdhapalli Sarpanch Pinku Patel has banished a fellow villager identified as Saroj Rout and his family members over political enmity.
The Kangaroo Court has also made it clear that those who will be found talking to Saroj and his family members will have to cough up Rs 5,000 fine. Shopkeepers have also been told not to give rations to Saroj’s family. Else, they will have to pay the same amount of penalty.
Also, the court decided to give a reward of Rs 1,000 to those who will find anyone talking to Saroj’s family and inform the court in this regard.
Following the Kangaroo court’s diktat, Saroj’s family is now facing a social boycott by fellow villagers.
Finding no other go, Saroj and his family have taken shelter in a rice yard.
According to sources, Saroj had an argument with fellow villagers over cycle stand during Sulia Yatra celebrations on Tuesday. Again villagers had an argument with Saroj near village pond on Wednesday. Villagers held a Kangaroo court and decided unanimously to banish Saroj family. Soon after the meeting, drum beater was asked to announce the news in the entire village.
Though holding Kangaroo court is a regular affair in Bolangir, the district administration seems least bothered about it, claimed sources.
Balaram Jal, the drum beater said, “I was sleeping after having dinner when a few villagers came to my place and took me to the meeting where the court decided not to allow Saroj’s family to take bath in village pond. Besides, a fine will be imposed if anyone is found talking to Saroj’s family.”
It is learnt that after OTV aired the news, local outpost police met Saroj’s family members and held discussions with them.