Kendrapara: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) within four weeks from the Puri District Collector and Superintendent of Police on the death of a toddler inside Astaranga police station.
The NHRC passed the order on Thursday after considering the submissions of Radhakanta Tripathy, a human rights activist and lawyer.
The petitioner stated that a two-year-old child died of a snake bite at Astaranga police station in puri district.
The toddler had come to the police station with his mother, who had visited to lodge a complaint May 27, 2024.
Due to the lack of a safe environment and proper vigilance at the police station, such an incident occurred, Tripathy said and alleged that due to the negligence and lackadaisical attitude of the police officials in providing immediate medical care, the child died.
He stated that it is the responsibility of government officials, the police in this case, to maintain a safe workplace. The child could not receive medical care after he was bitten by a viper inside the police station.
The petitioner further mentioned that no inquiry or investigation has been conducted in this unfortunate case, and no compensation has been paid to the mother of the victim. Tripathy sought an independent and impartial investigation into the incident and urged for safety measures and a safe environment in all police stations with childcare facilities.
The Commission took cognizance of the matter and issued notices to the District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police, Puri, Odisha, calling for an ATR within four weeks.
The Commission shall be constrained to invoke a coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, calling for the personal appearance of the concerned authority for submission of the report if the report is not received within the stipulated time, the NHRC order said.
UNI