A family in Siruli Mahavir village under Chandanpur police station limits in Odisha’s Puri district has allegedly been subjected to a social boycott and slapped with a fine of Rs 5,60,000 after being declared ‘guilty ‘in a village-led kangaroo court over a theft.

According to reports, a local sorcerer claimed that the family was responsible for the theft, following which the informal court pronounced Bishnu Sasmal as the accused. The incident occurred on July 26, and nearly four months later, the family alleges that they are still being denied justice and continue to face social exclusion.

Local administration officials have assured that strict action will be taken if villagers are found to be violating the law or enforcing unlawful penalties.

Family Shares Plight

Krushna Sasmal, Bishnu’s brother, said, “My nephew used to go to school, but he was told that his father is a thief, so he returned home crying. After that, he said he would not go to school anymore.”

He added, “They slapped a fine of Rs 5, 60,000 and stopped the education of my children. We cannot talk to anyone. We are not allowed to do farming, which was my source of income, and they are not allowing that either. They threatened that we would not be allowed to live in the village.”

Legal Community Condemns Incident

The family reportedly sent their children to their maternal uncle’s home while continuing to struggle. Intellectual circles strongly criticised the incident, with 17 members of the Sasmal family allegedly facing mental distress due to the prolonged kangaroo court decision. 

Puri Bar Association Secretary Sarat Rayaguru said, “Our Constitution encourages scientific facts. The villagers, the local sorcerer and anyone involved in declaring someone a criminal, whatever they did, is not justified. The local administration or IIC should take immediate action.”

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Administration Promises Stern Action

Puri Sub-Collector Raj Kishor Jena said, “We will arrange a meeting between the villagers and the exiled family. The SDPO, IIC, Tehsildar and I will try to discuss with the villagers that these are superstitions and should not be believed. It is against the law to declare someone a criminal and ask them to pay the fine because a local sorcerer said so is against the law. Strict action will be taken if the decision is not revoked.”