Odisha: Man consumes poison, dies after daughter faces abuse in kangaroo court verdict over liquor sale

Chandabali: In a disturbing incident linked to illegal liquor sales, a man allegedly died by suicide after his daughter was assaulted and humiliated by a village kangaroo court in Chandabali block of Odisha's Bhadrak district. The incident, which took place in Charadia panchayat, has triggered widespread outrage in the area. Police have launched an investigation and detained one person as part of the ongoing probe. Ten people have been named in the case. 

The deceased, whose identity has not been disclosed yet, reportedly took the extreme step following alleged torture and humiliation meted out to his daughter Laxmipriya Parida by a village kangaroo court over bootlegging accusations. 

According to reports, villagers had been raising complaints about rampant illicit liquor trade in the panchayat since two weeks. Women of the village had united to stop the sale of illicit liquor in the area. As part of their protest, they vandalised six liquor outlets operating in the village.  A written complaint was also lodged at Bansada police station. Acting on the complaint, police had summoned the alleged liquor traders and obtained written undertakings in the presence of villagers and self-help group members to stop the illegal trade. Despite this, liquor sales reportedly continued unabated.

Public punishment of woman drove father to take his own life

The situation escalated when members of self-help groups allegedly assaulted and subjected a woman to inhuman treatment over allegations of selling liquor. On December 24, a village meeting was convened where it was unanimously decided that no one would be allowed to sell liquor in the village. The following day, the woman again was accused of violating the decision by selling liquor after which villagers allegedly forced her to sit in the village square and subjected her to physical and mental torture. Laxmipriya was also allegedly beaten, publicly humiliated, and forced to wear a garland of shoes. The so-called kangaroo court imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on her as well.

Although the woman reportedly paid ₹10,000, the village panchayat allegedly continued to demand the remaining amount and abused her using obscene language. Distressed by the continued harassment and public humiliation of his daughter, her father allegedly consumed poison, leading to his death. 

Following a complaint at Bansada police station, police registered a case naming ten accused persons and others. One person has been detained for questioning. The complainant, Manoranjan Parida, alleged that his mother was also assaulted during the incident, resulting in a fractured chest bone.

Chandabali SDPO Prabhas Sahoo visited the complainant’s house and initiated a detailed investigation. Police have seized the shoe garland used during the incident and have called in a scientific team to assist with evidence collection.

Police say further action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation. The incident has once again raised serious questions over the rise of kangaroo courts and mob justice in rural areas.

Also read: "Strict action will be taken against Kangaroo courts": Odisha Law Minister on Rayagada incident