NHRC orders probe into abduction of woman by BJD MLA

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to conduct a fresh inquiry by the Crime Branch into the alleged involvement of an BJD lawmaker in molesting and abducting a woman in November 2013.

The NHRC directed the state chief secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) to conduct an inquiry by CB/CID and submit action taken report within four weeks, said human rights activist Subash Mohapatra, who had filed the complaint, on Wednesday.

According to the complaint, the woman had approached ruling Biju Janata Dal legislator from Bari Debasish Nayak at his official residence here on November 13, 2013, to complain about the irregularities in distribution of flood relief to the affected people.

However, the woman was tortured by the legislator and his associates at the house, said the complaint.

The woman, a resident of Ratalanga in Bari, complained that they also allegedly threatened her of dire consequences if she dared to lodge a complaint with the police against them.

After the woman lodged a complaint at women police station here, the accused men abducted her and kept her in confinement.

When she escaped on November 15, 2013, she was again abducted by the MLA's associates.

However, she was rescued by police in the same month.

Several accused men were arrested by police in the case. Nayak had earlier denied any involvement in the molestation and abduction of the woman.