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A disturbing incident surfaced from Bhogarai police station in Balasore district on Thursday, where a man was chained without a case being registered. He was held for two days until local MP Pratap Sarangi personally intervened, prompting his release and medical treatment.
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According to sources, a case of allegedly ‘inhuman treatment’ (police excess) was reported from Bhogarai police station of Balasore district. Police had kept a man chained by his hands and feet for the last two days without officially registering a case.
Human rights violation alleged
The victim, Kartik Chandra Bhol from Jayarampur village, had been detained over a motorcycle exchange dispute. Shockingly, instead of due legal process, the Bhogarai police allegedly bound him with iron shackles and physically assaulted him.
The matter came to the fore when Kartik’s wife approached local BJP leader Ashish Patra and informed him the abuse. Upon the arrival of Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi in Bhogarai today, Patra brought the incident to his attention.
The MP immediately visited the police station to verify the matter and then video-called Balasore Superintendent of Police (SP) Raj Prasad, showing him the youth chained inside the police station.
Following the MP’s intervention, Bhogarai Police Station Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Sriballabh Sahu was directed by the SP, and accordingly, IIC Sahu arranged to send the detained man for medical examination and later released him.
Defending the controversial act, the officer claimed the chaining was due to a shortage of staff at the station.
This incident of alleged police excess has raised serious questions about cops’ conduct and adherence to human rights in the district.
“It is a very uncivilised tradition that prevails in Bhogarai police station. I had also previously called the IIC in connection with this case, a few days ago. A man has been chained and detained in the police station without registration of case against him,” MP Sarangi said.
“They (police) are nabbing accused persons in petty matters and are releasing the criminals in major cases. This particular incident is entirely illegal as no case has been registered. Action sans registration of case and punishment without probe,” the MP stated.
Meanwhile, Bhogarai IIC Sahu has been suspended by the Director General of Police (DGP)-Odisha for dereliction of duty. He had allegedly tortured the accused by chaining his hands and feet. After intervention by the Balasore MP, the man was released.
