Odisha teen’s missing, cremation of body without informing kin: OHRC seeks report

Bhubaneswar: Intervening into a teen’s missing and cremation of his body without informing his kin case, Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) today directed Commissionerate police to submit a report within seven days.

The OHRC intervened after the matter was brought into its notice by the victim’s parents who alleged negligence of Nayapalli police that led to death of the teen boy Ishak.

Yesterday, Twin City Commissionerate of Police had suspended an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) NC Swain of Nayapalli police station over the cremation of an ‘unclaimed’ teen from a city-based slum.

Besides, the IIC Suryamani Pradhan has been issued a show-cause notice over the incident.

Notably, 14-year-old boy Ishak Digal had gone missing from Adivasi Basti under Salia Sahi here on June 6. On the same day, his father Pabitra Digal had filed a missing complaint at night.

As per reports, the teenager was hit by an unknown vehicle near Biju Patnaik College Square following which he was rushed to Capital Hospital. Later, he was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital where he succumbed the following day.

Presuming it to be an ‘unclaimed body’, Mangalabag police on June 12 cremated it – after waiting for 72 hours for anyone to claim.

Father of the boy came to know about death after 10 days. Reacting to the incident, the locals had gheraoed the Nayapalli police station.