BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued show cause notice to State Government asking why compensation of `50,000 each should not be paid to Lili Naik, her brother Sudam Si and husband Sukadev Naik for violation of their human rights by police.
Lili (26), a native of Dhadasahi village under Morada police limits in Mayurbhanj district, was declared ‘dead’ by police while her husband and younger brother were arrested on charges of killing her in 2012.
Though Sukadev and Sudam were later released on bail, sudden appearance of Lili before the court of additional district and sessions judge (fast track-II) at Baripada on September 4, 2014 had exposed the police goof up.
Acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the Commission has asked the Chief Secretary to reply to the show-cause notice within six weeks.
Tripathy had filed the petition basing on a report published in ‘The Express’ on January 21, last year. The NHRC, which served the notice following the report of Crime Branch and a DNA analysis report, also found that due to negligence of police, the family of Lili has been subjected to trauma, harassment and false implication curtailing their freedom and dignity.
On May 23, 2012, Morada police had recovered the body of a woman from a well in the village and identified it as that of Lili. DNA analysis report revealed that the body belonged to a missing woman Mandakini Dhungia of the same village.
While the then IIC of Morada police station RR Das, who led the investigation, has been booked for negligence and is out on bail, Home Department has been moved to initiate disciplinary action against former SDPO of Betnoti Anil Patra, who supervised the investigation. Retainer of Baripada legal aid cell Sushil Patra said though Lili, who is now staying with her 20-month-old baby at a short stay home in Baripada, has recorded her statement before the court, no step has been initiated judicially to declare her ‘alive’. ‘’Since police had declared her dead in legal documents, the court has to declare her alive after verification of documents and DNA report,’’ Patra said.