BHUBANESWAR: The National National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the State Government over custodial torture and lack of basic amenities, including safety and security, in Choudwar Jail.
Acting on a petition filed by rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel has asked the IG (Prisons) and Home Secretary to submit the report within four weeks.
An Under Trial Prisoner (UTP) Saroj Das (35) alias Bapi, a native of Das Sahi under Malgodown police limits in Cuttack, had died at SCB Medical College and Hospital while undergoing treatment on June 21.
While the jail authorities claimed that he was suffering from acute liver cirrhosis, his family members alleged that he was subjected to severe physical and mental torture in the judicial custody.
In his petition, Tripathy claimed that the victim was assaulted inside Choudwar jail and branded with cigarettes. “Saroj had received burn injuries possibly due to cigarettes besides cut and assault marks on several parts of his body while he was admitted in the hospital,” he stated.
Sources said Saroj was arrested on May 9 and forwarded to Choudwar circle jail next day. His wife had visited the jail on May 12 to give him clothes. The jail officials, however, did not allow her to meet him. Without having any option, his wife handed over the clothes to jail officials and returned home. The Malgodown police informed his family on May 13 that Saroj had been admitted in the hospital.
Referring to his earlier petitions and directions of the NHRC, Tripathy contended that the Odisha Government is yet to ensure safety and security and ensure basic human rights of inmates in the high security Choudwar jail.
“Though the State Government was directed to provide watch towers and night vision binoculars at the entrance of the jail, that is not provided yet. The authorities have also failed to nab the culprits involved in the February 19, 2012 incident when several bombs were lobbed in front of the jail,” he alleged.
Tripathy demanded compensation for the victim’s family besides safety and security of prisoners in the jail.