Plaint filed with NHRC over alleged illegal arrests in jumbo death case

Keonjhar: A complaint has been filed with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in New Delhi over the alleged illegal detention of 11 residents of Saleikena village in Keonjhar district in connection with an elephant death and tusk theft case.

According to human rights activist Narayan Rath, the individuals were forcibly taken from their homes by Forest officials under the Telkoi forest range on the night of July 7, without any formal charges or a first information report (FIR) being filed.

The complaint, filed on behalf of victim Nanda Kishore Munda and others, claims the villagers were picked up around 11pm while some were having dinner. They were allegedly held at the Telkoi range office, where they were subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse and mental harassment over a period of four days. Family members were not allowed to meet them during this time.

Rath cited multiple media reports in his petition and described the incident as “shocking, heartbreaking, painful, disgusting and barbaric.” He has requested the commission to intervene and take stern action against the Forest personnel involved. Those named in the complaint include Telkoi Range Officer Shivaji Mohan Rao, Forester Malay Kumar Jena, Guard Ajit Kumar Das, and officers identified as Dhanraj HD and Sudipta Panda.

Rath has demanded compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each victim, to be recovered from the salaries of the accused officials.

The NHRC has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and registered it under diary number 17058/IN/2025 for further consideration.

PNN

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