The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from the district administration of Ganjam regarding the alleged custodial death of a 32-year-old man at the Kabisurya Nagar police station. The commission directed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police to submit the report within three weeks of receiving the letter.
Details Required in the Report
The NHRC has asked for comprehensive details, including the time, place, and reason for the arrest or detention, the FIR registered against the deceased, arrest and inspection procedures, seizure memos, and the medical certificate of the deceased. Additionally, the commission has requested the medico-legal certificate, post-mortem report along with its video, site plan of the incident, chemical and histopathology examination of viscera (if applicable), final cause of death, and the magistrate inquiry report.
Explanation for Delay in Reporting
The commission has also demanded an explanation as to why the custodial death was not reported to the NHRC within 24 hours, as mandated by guidelines. The district administration has been directed to provide all relevant documents related to the incident.
The NHRC took cognizance of a petition filed by Manoj Jena, a rights activist from Khurda. Sushant Sahu, 32, a resident of Subalia under Kabisurya Nagar police station limits, allegedly died due to police torture on Sunday night. His family members claimed that he was taken from his home on May 25 and succumbed to his injuries late Sunday night. His wife alleged that he was brutally assaulted while in police custody.
Police Response and Actions
Niti Sekhar, Inspector General of Police, Southern Range, stated that the exact cause of death would be determined only after receiving the autopsy report. In a swift response, three police personnel, including a Sub-Inspector, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, and a constable, were suspended. An IPS officer undergoing training at the police station was also withdrawn.
Superintendent of MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Sudeepa Das, confirmed that the post-mortem was conducted by a three-member doctor team in the presence of an executive magistrate. As per NHRC guidelines, the entire procedure was video-recorded. The viscera of the deceased has been sent to the State Forensics Science Laboratory for analysis. Das noted that the exact cause of death will be known only after receiving pathological and visceral test reports, which may take about a week to finalize.
