NHRC admits petition on mystery death at Odisha ex-minister’s house

Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, Aug 4:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today admitted a petition filed by human rights activist Subash Mohapatra seeking a CBI inquiry into the mysterious death of a youth at the government quarters of former Odisha minister and Binjharpur MLA Pramila Mallick here on the intervening night of July 25-26.

The Odisha Congress has already sought a CBI probe in the matter.

The body of Surendra Routary, aged about 40 years, of Banpur village in Jajpur district was found hanging from a tree inside the premises of the official quarters of the ruling BJD MLA on the morning of July 26.

“It is learnt that having political and police nexus, the matter is coloured and informed to media as suicide. Under the heavy police protection, his body was sent for post-mortem to Capital Hospital. There were several calls made to chief of the Capital Hospital and the doctor. Reportedly, there is a conspiracy to produce a doctored autopsy report. It is unfortunate that police and doctors are working at the behest of the politicians to suppress the truth. Therefore, we request for independent inquiry by CBI,” said Mohapatra in his petition.