Open Invitation for State-level Public Hearing on “Status of
Alleged Rape cases and Situation of Rape Victims” in Odisha Venue- Lohia
Academy, Bhubaneswar, Date- 29.12.17
Dear
friends,
Since last few years,
Odisha has witnessed a rising trend of crimes like rape and
molestation on woman, and offense against
tribals, dalits and children due to negligence of police to
register the FIR of victim and undertake proper inquiry and prompt
measures to nab the culprits. In many cases, the investigative agency is
seen to derail and dilute investigation after being pressurised by the people
at the top. In the name of investigation, the police threaten and torture
the victims and compel them to withdraw the allegation. The poor victims
suffer from humiliation, mental trauma and social exclusion and could not voice
their protest against the police. They run from pillar to
post to get justice, but in vain.
The
recent incident of alleged rape of a Dalit
girl from Kunduli village of Koraput
district by Cobra Para-military force and of rape
of Kasturi Samantaray by school teachers and her consequent
death as alleged by her parents in Kendrapara
district are two bright examples of how the police have
masterminded to suppress the facts and
dilute the investigation. Media has also highlighted how Kunduli Rape
victim has been humiliated and tortured by the police to pressure her to
withdraw her statement on rape by Cobra Police. Similarly, the
parents of Kasturi were bribed by Kendrapara district
administration to withdraw the allegation. Many women
employees have also filed allegation of being lured and molested by
Govt. officials. But the investigation of their allegations has been
suppressed by the police.
Under this backdrop, a Public
Hearing is being organised by Civil Society Groups with the
objective of providing platform to rape victims and their relatives to speak
about their allegation and as well as humiliation and mental trauma
suffered by them, status of police investigation and justice
if any delivered to them and their continuing struggle for justice.
We have identified a few cases of allegation of rapes and how the
police has allowed the criminals scot free. The public
hearing will be held at Lohia Academy, Bhubaneswar on 29.12.17 at 10.30.
We are inviting woman
activists, NGOs and former bureaucrats, retired judges, advocates and
intellectuals to attend the public hearing and share their views with the
victims.
We request you to attend the
same and share your views with the victims.
Pradip Pradhan
On behalf of Civil Society Groups, Odisha
Pradip Pradhan
On behalf of Civil Society Groups, Odisha
