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Bhubaneswar: Taking a suo motu cognizance of the media reports regarding the death of a person in police custody at Golanthara Police station in Ganjam, the Odisha Human Rights Commissions (OHRC) on Wednesday directed the DIG of Police (Southern Range) to submit a ‘factual report’ on the matter within four weeks.
The Commission has also sought the video footage of a period of four hours prior to the shifting of the deceased to the hospital.
The Commission, in its order, stated, “Since this is a case of custodial death which raises issues of violation of human rights and negligence on the part of police, the Commission takes cognizance of the matter suo motu.”
Quoting media reports, the rights panel stated that the deceased identified as Ganesh Dakua was brought to the Golanthara police station on the allegation that he had abused and assaulted labourers of a brick kiln. Due to covid-19 restriction, he was being questioned at the reception desk. A constable on duty had gone outside. During the time, Ganesh ‘committed suicide by hanging with his belt tying it with a window railing in the room.”
Taking serious note of the case Berhampur Superintendent of Police (SP) Pinak Mishra on Tuesday had suspended an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) and a constable of Golanthara Police Station.
ASI, PC Acharya and Constable DP Jena of the police station had been suspended for dereliction of duty.
Similarly, Inspector –in-charge of the police station had been transferred and Gopalpur IIC, Bibekananda Mahanta replaced him.
According to police sources, a special team under the supervision of Additional SP has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.
