Odisha Govt Steps Up Measures To Curb Honour Killings

Bhubaneswar: Acting on the directive of the Supreme Court, which issued a slew of guidelines to curb honour killings, the Odisha government has initiated the process to bring down the illegal and dreadful practice.

In a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Additional Director General (ADG), Crime Branch, the Home Department has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) and asked them to identify the districts and villages where this unethical practice is prevalent. Besides, they have been asked to direct the Inspectors In Charge (IICs) to remain alert on any inter-caste or inter-faith marriage being solemnised in their area and immediately inform the higher officers if any trial is conducted by the kangaroo court and send a police team to the village.

“The IIC of the police station shall forthwith lodge an FIR and take prompt action under appropriate provisions of law under the direct and personal supervision of a top officer leading the investigation,” Principal Secretary, Home, Asit Tripathy told mediapersons here.

He also said if the kangaroo court functions despite dissuasion, a senior police officer will have to be present at the spot to ensure that no such decision was taken which may cause any harm to a couple or members of their family.

The report of the higher officer shall be submitted to the District Magistrate who will issue the order to take preventive measures under Section 144 of IPC and 151 of CrPC.

The trial in honour killing cases should be undertaken by the designated court on a day-to-day basis and preferably concluded within six months from the date of taking cognisance of the offence, Tripathy said.

Action will be taken against the concerned police officers for dereliction of duty on this matter, he pointed out.

It may be mentioned that the Supreme Court on March 27 this year, had directed the state governments to frame SOPs to deal with honour killing cases while hearing a case filed by Shakti Vahini.

There have been incidents of honour killings in Odisha.

In May 2014, a 20-year-old girl and her 22-year-old boyfriend were killed allegedly by her brothers at Haladiapadar on the outskirts of Berhampur in Ganjam district hours before she was to be married off to the man chosen by her family.

Later, on May 2018, a minor girl was allegedly killed by her family members in Kothamula village of Anlo gram panchayat under Niali block in Cuttack district. The minor girl, who was living with her mother in her paternal uncle’s house after her father’s death, was in love with a youth of the locality. Her family members and relatives were opposed to the relationship but she insisted on getting married to the youth.

In another incident, police had arrested five persons of Mundaguda village of Koraput district on July 2018 for the honour killing of two lovers, both minors, who studied in the same school.