Kangaroo Justice: Family ostracised for bumping into Sarpanch son’s vehicle

Cuttack: Instances of kangaroo court justice continue to surface in Odisha with another such shocking incident being reported from a village in Athgarh here wherein a family has been ostracised for running into the Sarpanch’s son’s vehicle. Other villagers have been threatened to be fined Rs 5,000 if they talk to the members of the ostracised family.

Sanatan, a senior citizen and resident of Anantpur village here, ran into the vehicle of Sarpanch’s son on August 6. After an argument between the two, the Sarpanch’s son and his supporters entered the house and attacked Sanatan and his family. But later, the feud was mutually settled.

However, the Sarpanch then declared the family ostracised and this was announced through a village crier. The family members alleged that they have also been threatened to be killed if they enter the village. Since the last two days the family is suffering due to the kangaroo justice delivered by none other than the Sarpanch. Villagers have also been asked to cut all ties with the family or they will be fined Rs 5,000.

“Since the last few days I have not been allowed to visit my fields where I grow Brinjal, Cucumber and Lady’s Finger. My crops must have destroyed. We just want to be allowed to return to our village. That is all the justice we seek,” said Sanatan Sahu.

“The village crier went announcing that we are ostracised and no one is allowed to keep any ties with us,” lamented Gouri Sahu, another member of the family. Members of the family also alleged that despite reporting the incident before the SP who asked the IIC of Khuntuni to look into the matter, no steps have been taken yet.

However, the IIC, Satyabrat Lenka has said that both parties have been asked to come down to the police station to settle the matter after mutual discussion. “We asked both parties to discuss the issue before us but no one has turned up yet,” he said.