Man said to have been charged and punished by kangaroo court for questioning brother in village meet; family members approach SP seeking justice
It has been reported that amid increasing incidents of law and order problems in Nayagarh, an occurrence akin to the kangaroo court came to light recently from Sanakutuni village falling within the jurisdiction of Sharankul Police Station.
Anjali Palei and her husband Madan Palei, who complained of the matter, told this correspondent that a few days ago Madan’s younger brother Gandu Palei had beaten up his elder brother Khalia Palei due to a family tussle. The matter was later referred to the village committee.
Gandu Palei, Khalia Palei and Madan Palei were summoned by the village committee to a village meet where the matter was discussed in the presence of the village president. During the meeting, Gandu apologized to Khalia as he admitted his error.
During the discussion, Madan Palei questioned his younger brother Gandu as to who had influenced him to beat up the elder brother.
As per the allegations made in the petition, some of the villagers threatened Madan and questioned who he is to ask any questions regarding the matter discussed at the meeting. Following this, it was allegedly decided at the village meeting that Madan would be assaulted and tied. According to the family members, several people from the village assaulted and tied Madan.
This was not the end of their ordeal. As per the claims of the complainants, since Madan was a simple and quiet man, he was tortured and forced to give his thumb impression on certain documents. A sum of ₹20,000 fine was allegedly imposed on Madan by the village committee president, among others.
After refusing to pay the fine, according to the petition, the family members were socially boycotted in the village. They were not allowed to socialize in the village, and thus got isolated from society.
Furthermore, it was alleged that an influential person in the village called Tulu went to the school where Madan’s daughter (aged 10) studied and told her to sit separately in class else leave the school. While this matter reached the school headmaster, no steps were taken to resolve it.
Moreover, the family added that although they had tried to find a way out with the help of respectable people from the locality, yet no agreement could be made owing to the interference of the village committee members.
Later on, Madan reported the matter at the Sharankul Police Station, and a case was filed against the village committee president and certain villagers. But according to the family members, no serious action has been taken against those responsible.
As there seemed to be no hope for redressal of the grievance, Madan and his family decided to seek help from the Superintendent of Police for taking strict action against the accused persons.
