KalingaTimes Correspondent
Kendrapara(Odisha), July 6: Taking strong exception to harassment meted out to a rape victim, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the state police to monetarily compensate the victim lady.

Responding to petition filed by brother of the victim from Nikirai village under Kendrapara police station limits, the rights panel also ordered stringent disciplinary action against the police official for alleged suppression of the crime.

Draft proceedings have also been initiated against the then Nikirai police outpost-in-charge Raghunath Singh after departmental inquiry found him guilty of suppressing the offence committed under Section 376 Indian Penal Code, informed official sources.

Meanwhile, the state home department has awarded Rs 25,000 compensation to the victim woman from Nikirai village as per the NHRC order.

The local police had detained the accused in connection with the case. After three days of investigation and statement recording of the victim, the accused was let off with the investigating official being bribed.

The victim accompanied by his brother ran from pillar to post fervently pleading for justice.

The senior officials in the state police headquarters did not pay heed to her prayer. The victim had also moved the human rights protection cell of the state police, but to no avail.

The case was reopened after NHRC intervened in the matter, sources said.