Kangaroo court justice in Odisha: Couple dragged out of house, beaten up for theft

Jagatsinghpur: In another instance of cruelty of Kangaroo court in Odisha, a couple accused of theft was dragged out of their house, tied to a tree and beaten up mercilessly by the irate villagers.

The incident occurred not in the tribal or under developed region of the state, rather at Baramundali village under Balikuda block in the coastal district Jagatsinghpur.

Even though, a complaint has been registered by the Kangaroo court victim couple at Balikuda police station, they were returned with disappointment.

On the other hand, the couple along with their two children is spending winter nights on footpath as they are not allowed to enter the village.

The victim couple was identified as Golekh Bahalia and his wife Sabitri.

According to reports, Golekh and his wife were dragged out of their house by the villagers and tied to a tree near a pavilion for alleged theft. The villagers brutally thrashed the couple and tortured them for three hours. Later, they were confined in a house.

Reports said that few days back Kailash Bahalia of the village had alleged theft from his house. The villagers took help of a sorcer to identify the robber. On basis of information by the sorcerer, Kailash and his family members barged in to the house of Golekh on Nov 7 and dragged him and his wife in presence of his two children and old mother. They fastened their hands and legs with rope and tied to a tree and started beating them mercilessly.

After the victim’s mother approached the Anantpur police out post, two constables rescued the couple locked in a room. Golekh was taken to the outpost from where he was shifted to Balikuda police station. When his wife complained against the villagers, the police officials abused her.

The couple is now staying outside the village since Nov 8 as the villagers threatened them to kill if they dare to enter the village.

The victims warned for self immolation along with family members if they do not get justice.

On the other hand, Balikuda police assured to take appropriate action against the accused after investigation.

The sorcerer helped the villagers to nab the thief. The incident took place after the sorcerer took Golekh and his family’s name in the alleged theft. Police rescued the couple from the villagers and action will be taken after the probe, said Balikuda IIC RK Prusty.