The Orissa High Court on Wednesday directed the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Odisha Police to pay Rs 10 lakh compensation to the widow of a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) man who was allegedly tortured to death by security forces on suspicion of being a left wing extremist.
Pidera Kadaiska, apprehended by CRPF and police during combing operation in Chandrapur Police Station in Rayagada district, allegedly succumbed to injuries due to third degree under the custody of the security forces on June 3, 2010.
The widow belonging to the Kandha tribe, a particularly vulnerable tribal group in Rayagada district in Odisha, had later approached the High Court seeking justice for the custodial murder of her husband.
“It is not a mere coincidence that the deceased tribal person who was tortured to death while in custody after being labeled a Maoist with not even an iota of evidence belonged to the poorer sections of the society. He had no one to represent his interests or to give him legal assistance while in custody. The legal system appears to have completely failed,” a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dr S Muralidhar and Justice MS Raman observed.
The Court directs the CRPF and the Odisha State Police in whose service Opposite Party No.5 was at the relevant time to pay compensation of Rs 5,00,000/- (Rupees five Lakh) each (i.e. total of Rs 10 lakhs) to the petitioner within a period of eight weeks from today, failing which the amount would be payable along with 6 per cent simple interest for the period of delay, the HC ordered.