Odisha govt steps in, shifts actress to mental health institute

Bhubaneswar: The young theatre actress finally freed from the shackles of confinement in her own home as the State Government has decided to step in and rescue her.

State Health Department Secretary Pramod Ku Meherda promptly acted and directed the Kendrapara Collector to co-ordinate with mental health institute at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack to get her admitted immediately.

He has even contacted the Mental Health Institute at SCB to ensure proper care and treatment for the patient.

By the direction of Kendrapara Collector Reghu G, the District Social Security Officer (DSSO) Pravat Das and block social security officer Sangram Beura shifted the actress Badani to SCB Medical College & Hospital with her parents.

Notably, the 19-year-old theatre actress, Badani Samal was tied up in chains by her parents for the last three years as she was not keeping well mentally. Her parents, working as daily wage labourers, were too poor to treat her in a hospital. Moreover, they visited quacks and tried witchcraft to cure her of her ailment but in vain.

So the parents decided to chain her in home in a bid to have a control over her. Odisha’s leading daily newspaper ‘Sambad’ carried the story with reactions from her mother, and neighbours who projected the pathetic situation of this young actress who played lead roles during her peak period.