Nischintakoili: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) of police to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation to the family members of a minor while delivering an order in a 2022 case concerning the assault of a minor by the former for calling police personnel as ‘Mamu’ (uncle), a report said Saturday.
The ASI was identified as Bhagaban Sahu of Nischintakoili Police Station.
The NHRC also asked the ASI to pay the compensation to the minor’s family members within five weeks from the date of issue of the order.
According to the case diary, a minor boy hailing from Gopapur village under Badakhira panchayat of Nischintakoili block noticed a police patrolling vehicle at Panaspadia Square and called the police personnel inside as ‘Mamu’, in May 2022.
Enraged, ASI Sahu had stopped the vehicle at Panaspadia Square and allegedly assaulted the minor. He even allegedly hurled abuses at the minor using slang. The incident had sparked tension in the village as locals resorted to road blockade by burning tyres.
Angered, the boy’s mother Kabita Behera lodged a complaint at the Nischintakoili Police Station demanding action against the errant police official. However, police did not register a case following which Kabita filed a petition in the apex rights body, May 14, 2022.
A case in this regard was registered at the police station following an order by the NHRC, June 3, 2022. The then SDPO of Salipur conducted a probe into the case and submitted a report before the commission, October 19, 2022.
When contacted, ASI Sahu said he is yet to receive any letter from the departmental authorities. He will take further steps after receiving the order.
PNN