Rape Victim Committed Suicide in Banapur under Khurda District, Odisha

Rape Victim Committed Suicide in Banapur under Khurda District, Odisha

Nishamani Behera, 16 year old 10^th Class student of Suangadia village under Banapur block of Khurda district committed suicide on 24.1.18  due to failure of the police of Banapur police to  conduct inquiry and  nab the culprits. As the FIR filed by the parents on 2.1.18, it was observed that on 31.12.17, the accused Nimei Palai, aged 24 raped Nishamani in her house in night and assured her to marriage. On the next day morning, the parents of rape victim ( Kartikeshwar Behera)  appraised  the villagers  about the incident and sought their support to resolve the issue. The villagers   after a lot of discussion in the village meeting negotiated with both the groups and suggested the parents of rape accused for proposal of marriage. The parents of Nimei Palai turned down the proposal.  Then on 2.1.18, Sri Kartikeswar Behera, father of Rape victim filed FIR in Banapur Police station against Nimei Palai. The police registered the case under section 376 (2)(i) of IPC, 1860 and section 6 of POCSO Act.   The police also recorded her statement before Judicial Magistrate, Khurda. 

Though the police registered the case, they did not conduct any inquiry.  It is alleged that the police was heavily bribed and facilitated the culprit to go on absconding.  Though 22 days passed, the police did not arrest anybody.  On the other side, the victim continues to suffer from mental trauma. She remained psychologically depressed and her ordeal continues. Despite repeated appeals by the parents, the police remained silence and did not conduct any inquiry.   

At last on 24.1.18, the rape victim consumed poison and committed suicide. The police negligence takes another death toll  in Odisha.

Pradip Pradhan

M-9937843482

Date-26.1.18