OHRC seeks report on physical torture of undertrial

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) on Saturday sought reports from authorities on the brutal physical torture of an undertrial prisoner (UTP) at the Circle Jail in Choudwar, Cuttack.

The acting chairperson of the rights panel, Justice B K Mishra directed the additional DGP-cum-IG of Prisons, Bhubaneswar to inquire into the matter himself and submit a report to the commission within seven days from today.

The IG of Police, Central Range, Cuttack was also directed to conduct an inquiry as to how the undertrial sustained so many serious bodily injuries while being lodged in the Choudwar circle jail.

It was alleged by the petitioners that the undertrial was beaten up mercilessly by the jail staff.

The SCB Medical College and Hospital superintendent was directed to provide all treatment to the patient and the cost for it is to be met out of the Odisha State Treatment Fund.

He was also directed to produce all the treatment papers, including the injury report of the undertrial for perusal by OHRC, the order said.

Earlier in the day, Sudhir Mohanty, advocate, Khirod Rout, Orissa High Court advocate and Pradip Pradhan, advisor to NHRC, New Delhi appeared before the Commission and submitted a petition alleging "unleashing of inhuman and ruthless torture on the UPT" in Choudwar jail.

The petitioners had conducted a fact-finding exercise into a news item of May 17 about the brutal attack and torture of the undertrial and his subsequent hospitalisation in the SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.

The fact-finding team during its visit to the hospital observed that the man bore multiple injuries on his body and was not able to speak and respond properly.

As per the allegations, the man was beaten up when he asked the jail staff to give him the Rs 100 note which his wife had given to one of them for passing it to him. He neither got the money nor any response from the jail staff, who angry with his inquiries assaulted him mercilessly which necessitated his hospitalisation.