Cuttack: HC notice to Govt over forcing boys, girls to kneel down at police station

Cuttack: Holding preliminary hearings on a PIL alleging human rights violation by Odisha police who forced three girls and as many boys to kneel down at a police station, the High Court on Friday issued notices to the government asking it to file reply within four weeks. The Jajpur district police had made three girls and three boys kneel down in front of the police station in full public view in January this year after they were found in a local park.

Viewing the police action as a violation of human rights and detrimental to Article 21 and 19 of the Constitution, civil rights activist advocate Prabir Kumar Das had filed the PIL seeking action against the policemen. A Division Bench of Chief Justice C Nagappan and Justice Pradeep K Mohanty after the preliminary hearing of the case issued notices to State Home Secretary, State DGP, SP of Jajpur district, ADG of Human Rights Protection Cell and to the police inspector of Jajpur Town police station.

The respondents have been asked to file their counters in affidavits within four weeks and the matter shall come up further hearing after receiving the responses, informed Das.

The Jajpur district police had made three girls and three boys kneel down in front of the police station in full public view.

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