BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Tuesday sought a report from the State Government on handcuffing of under-trial prisoner (UTP) Kishore Kumar Jena who was undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital here.
Jena, who was arrested for his alleged links with Maoists, was undergoing treatment at Capital Hospital after he resorted to hunger strike for delay in trial. During his treatment, he was reportedly handcuffed to the hospital bed.
Following a complaint by Campaign Against Fabricated Cases (CAFC), Acting Chairperson of OHRC Justice BK Mishra sought a report from Principal Secretary of Home Department, Inspector General of Police (Prisons) and Police Commissioner of the Twin City within four weeks.
Human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo said handcuffing a person during treatment is a violation of human rights. "Prima facie, handcuffing is illegal and subjecting an UTP to handcuffs who is undergoing treatment is a serious violation of his human rights," he said. The CAFC has also sought a compensation of `5 lakh for Jena and action against errant officials.
Meanwhile, a team of CAFC met Director of Public Prosecutions over delay in trial of UTPs in different courts of the State, particularly in Nayagarh and Bhanjanagar. They also apprised him about the hunger strike by UTPs of Special Jail at Jharpada and Bhanjanagar prisons demanding speedy trial of their cases.
Kanungo said Director of Public Prosecution Gajendra Mohapatra has assured that necessary measures will be initiated for speedy trial of the cases.