National Human Rights Panel Seeks Report On Odisha Cricketer Rajasree Swain’s Death

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from Cuttack DCP, Puri Collector and SP on the suspicious death of a young cricketer from Odisha, Rajasree Swain.

Hearing a petition filed by lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel has asked the authorities concerned to submit the report within four weeks.

Stating that the sequence of events raise serious questions on human rights, the petitioner moved NHRC, seeking an independent and impartial investigation of the case. He also sought the panel’s intervention to ensure the benefits of the welfare schemes to the bereaved family with adequate compensation.

The 26-year-old cricketer was found hanging inside a forest under mysterious circumstances on January 13, three days after she went missing.  The right-arm fast bowler and middle-order batter was a native of Bhuagaon in Puri district.

She had disappeared a day after being dropped from the final list of players for a championship in Puducherry.

Her family had then cried foul over her death since the body bore injury marks and her eyes were damaged. They also blamed the authorities of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) responsible for her death.

A suicide note purportedly written by Rajasree had mentioned the names of the coach and a former OCA member.

It was further alleged that the family of the victim had been leading a miserable life due to the apathetic approach of the authorities.