Custodial Death In Bargarh: PIL Filed In Orissa HC For Compensation To Victim’s Family

By OB Bureau On Oct 6, 2021

Cuttack: Even as BJP and BSP have demanded disciplinary action against police for alleged custodial death of a Dalit youth in Bargarh district, a PIL has been filed in Orissa High Court seeking Rs 50 lakh compensation for the victim’s family.

The PIL, filed by president of Berhampur-based Bharatiya Bikash Parishad (BBP) Surendra Panigrahi on Monday, has sought the High Court’s direction for compensation to the family of 35-year-old Gobinda Kumbhar of Toral village in Bargarh who allegedly died in police custody on September 25. Panigrahi has also sought a CBI probe into the case.

Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary Ministry of Home Affairs, Principal Secretary Home department, Director General of Police, Superintendent of Police Bargarh and Bargarh Town IIC have been named in the petition as opposite parties.

Gobinda was picked up by Bargarh Town police on September 24 night in a scuffle case. Next morning, while being taken to the district headquarters hospital after he fell ill, Gobinda died. His body bore multiple bleeding injuries.

Bargarh SP Rahul Jain had requested for an inquiry by the Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC) of Odisha Police after Gobinda’s wife Rubi Kumbhar filed a complaint alleging that her husband had died due to police atrocities. A two-member team of HRPC has already started inquiry.

On Tuesday, the activists of of Balangir and Bargarh of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) organised a rally and staged a dharna in front of the SP office in Bargarh demanding action against the policemen who had picked up Gobinda.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also sat on a dharna near the SP’s office demanding disciplinary action against the police.

Also Read: BSP Wants Cops Punished For Custodial Death Of Dalit Youth In Odisha’s Bargarh