Innocent Youth Released From Jail, Demands Action Against Erring Cops

Cuttack: Chandan Maharana, a youth from Chandni Chowk area of Cuttack city who returned home on Wednesday after a 17-day confinement at the Circle Jail in Choudwar, demanded action against erring policemen for his illegal detention.

Talking to mediapersons after reaching home, Chandan said the police dragged him out of his house to the police station, despite his pleading innocence in the case. “I was shocked when the police said that an arrest warrant has been issued in my name. I was detained at the Lalbag police for the whole night. The next day, the police produced me before the court, which remanded me to the Circle Jail in Choudwar,” he said.

The youth, however, said that he will demand action against the police and those who are responsible for his illegal detention. “Due to the illegal arrest, I have lost my image in society. Who will compensate me for this? I will move the Human Rights Commission and demand adequate compensation and stern action against the guilty,” Chandan said.

Lalbag Police arrested Chandan Maharana on March 11 in a loot and snatching case. His family members later lodged a complaint with the DCP, asserting that their kin has been arrested without any reason.

Acting on the complaint, DCP Akhileswar Singh had ordered a probe. In the course of investigation, it emerged that the name and address of the guy against whom the warrant was taken out and that of his father were similar to that of a youth the police had arrested earlier.

Briefing mediapersons on March 23, police commissioner Satyajit Mohanty had said that the commisionerate police will recommend action against the investigating officer (IO), who had arrested Chandan, for faulty investigation.