Human rights activist strikes NHRC over Nigerian’s custodial loss of life in Odisha

By PTI

BHUBANESWAR: A human rights activist has moved the NHRC looking for its intervention into the custodial loss of life of a Nigerian under-trial prisoner in Odisha, alleging medical negligence and denial of authorized assist, apart from disrespect to the physique.

He prayed to the NHRC to direct the state authorities to pay Rs 5 lakh to the household of the deceased as compensation.

Forty-year-old Augustine Odikpo was arrested by Odisha Police from Patna on February 11, 2019 in reference to a cybercrime case and was lodged in Puri Jail.

However, he fell sick and was admitted to the district hospital on May 9 and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack the place he died of pores and skin illnesses on May 26.

His physique was embalmed and stored within the mortuary for round a fortnight, earlier than initiating the method of handing it over to his brother who lives in an old-age residence in Delhi.

Human rights activist Akhand, in his petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), alleged that Odikpo died as a consequence of medical negligence and his physique was left within the mortuary for 13 days as a consequence of administrative apathy.

Akhand alleged that the Nigerian was not supplied free authorized assist, which an accused is entitled to.

“He was admitted to Puri district hospital on May 9 with minor pores and skin infections.

He was disadvantaged of correct remedy on the hospital due to which his situation deteriorated and he died on May 26 at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

“His brother came to Cuttack and wrote a letter on May 27, requesting the district administration to arrange for sending the body to the national capital as he could not afford it but his request was pending,” the petition filed on June 7 acknowledged.

Also, free authorized companies weren’t supplied to the accused, in violation of Article 21 of the Constitution, he mentioned.

The petitioner expressed doubts over whether or not the usual process of informing the State Human Rights Commission and the NHRC in regards to the custodial loss of life inside 24 hours was adopted within the case.

He mentioned that the federal government has every kind of amenities to move our bodies however the Nigerian’s mortal stays have been mendacity within the mortuary for 13 days, awaiting remaining rites.

Akhand prayed to the NHRC to direct the state authorities to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the deceased’s kin for medical negligence and disrespect to the physique.

He demanded that the case be probed and motion taken in opposition to these discovered responsible.

Puri jail authorities, in the meantime, mentioned the physique was stored within the mortuary with due respect for round a fortnight as there was no claimant and in addition as a result of there are a number of formalities concerned within the handing over of a international nationwide’s physique.

Cuttack district administration has sanctioned monetary help from the Red Cross fund for transporting the physique, Collector Bhabani Shankar Chayni mentioned.

SCB Medical College and Hospital Administrative Officer, Abinash Rout, mentioned that the autopsy examination has been carried out in session with the superintendent of Puri Jail and the report is awaited.

The deceased’s brother, 47-year-old Sylveser Obinna Ekwenze, mentioned he has arrived in Cuttack to take the physique to Delhi.

“I am not sure whether the body will be taken to Nigeria or the final rites will be performed in Delhi, where we have a large community,” he mentioned.

Officials mentioned the physique can be transported to Delhi through practice.