Odisha Police Find No Evidence On Harassment To Dana Majhi!

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha police could not find any concrete evidence regarding harassment to Dana Majhi, who hogged international headlines after he walked about 10 km with his wife’s body on his shoulders.

During the inquiry, no such concrete corroborative evidence could be found out. Moreover, the hospital staff and passer by people were not focussed any clue regarding non-cooperation made by hospital staff, the staff of ADMO, CDMO offices so far – Officer-in-charge of Bhawanipatna Town Police.

The police, however, said the inquiry is on into the case.

The response of the Odisha police came in few days after the Home Department refused to inquire into the Dana Majhi case.

Human rights activist Subash Mohapatra had filed a complaint with the Bhawanipatna town police requesting to inquire into the Dana Majhi case.

He had made an allegation against Kalahandi district collector, CDMO and other public authorities for deprivation, abuse, and denial of basic facilities to Dana Majhi.

CDMO of Kalahandi shielded his colleagues and tried to whitewash the evidence by abusing and putting the blame on the tribal man that he did not contact anybody for a vehicle to take the body from the hospital to his village – Mohapatra.

The complainant further stated that Dana Majhi was also not allowed to perform the last rites of his wife as the sub-collector forcibly took him along with his minor daughter to Bhawanipatna to record their statement.

Mohapatra said the district collector threatened the tribal man and asked him whether he had killed his wife.

While it is crystal clear that Dana Majhi was harassed by the authorities, finding no evidence into the matter exposes how the Odisha police are functioning – Mohapatra.

He said though it is mandatory for registration of first information report (FIR) into the cognizable offense as the guidelines issued by Supreme Court, Odisha police did not register the FIR.

Further, as the matter pertains to SC/ST POA Act, it must be enquired by an officer, not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police. But in the case, an ASI conducted the investigation, Mohapatra added.