Odisha Home Guard Seeks President’s Permission For Mercy Killing

Bhubaneswar: A home guard from Odisha’s Jajpur has sought the permission from President Droupadi Murmu for mercy killing for being unable to get salary for subsistence of himself and his family despite approaching highest court of the country.

In his letter written on May 30, Ranjan Kumar Mallik of Oupada under Bari police station has stated that he has been posted as commander of the home guards of the district and is also the president of the Nikhil Utkal Maharakhi Mahasangh.

Mallik has stated that despite carrying out his duties with honesty and integrity, he failed to get sufficient salary to sustain his family. After failing to get justice from his police station, he had approached the Orissa High Court.

“In 202o, the high court announced its order in favour of the home guards. But the state authorities did not make any suitable changes to ameliorate their conditions. The Supreme Court also in its order in 2023 issued directions in their favour. But it was also fruitless,” Malli said in the letter.

He further said it was a matter of shame that the home guards work day and night sacrificing all their happiness, but they are treated no less that daily labourers. “The authorities continue to follow no work, no pay policy. The higher officials treat us like personal servants and do not hesitate to even misbehave us,” he added.

“I have failed to live upto the expectation of 17,000 home guards and their families. I have lost all hopes in Indian judicial and legal system. Since committing suicide is a crime and I do not want to die a criminal, I seek your permission for mercy killing,” Mallik said in the letter.

He has also forwarded the copies of his letter to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Chief Justices of Orissa High Court and Supreme Court and NHRC.