Puri: "We lodged a complaint at the police station here, but they refused to take any action stating that they will not interfere in our village issue," alleged Hrishikesh Sahu of Hatapada village under Satyabadi block whose family has been allegedly ostracised by a kangaroo court of the village in connection with the theft of a mobile.
As per reports, Sahu had lodged a complaint six months back with the village committee after his mobile phone worth Rs 1000 was stolen from his home.
Subsequently, Sahu was initially asked to deposit Rs 25 as per the rules laid by the committee to organise a meeting in the village. Later, the committee asked Sahu to deposit Rs 5,000 to carry out an investigation to nab the thief.
However, when Sahu refused to deposit the amount, his family was allegedly ostracised by the committee.
"I was initially asked to deposit Rs 25,000 then they asked me to deposit Rs 5000 but when I objected to the decision, I and my family were ostracised. My kids are not even allowed to enter school," alleged Sahu.
"They have warned villagers to refrain from talking to us threatening that a fine of Rs 2000 will be imposed on anyone who talks to us," said wife of Hrishikesh, Minati.
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On the other hand, the head of the village committee Prafulla Sahu refuted the allegations levelled by Hrishikesh. "He (Sahu) has not been ostracised at all," said Prafulla.
The Additional Superintendent of Police, Puri, Dhirendra Nanda said he has ordered an inquiry into the matter.
"That person (Sahu) has never come to me to file a complaint. However, I have ordered an investigation into the allegations," said Nanda.