Why Are High-Profile Criminal Cases in Kendrapara Stalled? A Deep Dive into Police Accountability

Kendrapara's Struggle with Unresolved Criminal Cases

Kendrapara: The faith of citizens in the police force is waning due to a series of unresolved high-profile criminal cases, including murders and police misconduct. Reports indicate that bureaucratic delays are hindering justice, leaving victims in limbo.

Numerous instances have emerged where police officers have failed to act on pending investigations.

In a recent case, Ajay Sahu, a havildar at Kudanagari police station, reportedly made unwanted advances towards a woman under the jurisdiction of Marshaghai police station. He allegedly threatened her life if she did not comply. Despite audio and video evidence circulating online, the response was minimal; Sahu was suspended but not arrested, raising serious concerns about women's safety and police accountability.

Another tragic incident occurred on August 6 in Kathiapada village, where a student named Sangita Parida died by self-immolation. The police have yet to finalize their investigation, although they arrested her male friend, Pramod Behera, after explicit videos were discovered on his phone. Questions remain regarding the petrol's source used in the incident and whether Pramod is the main suspect. An assistant sub-inspector accused of negligence faced only a transfer, drawing public ire for the lack of stringent action.

The mysterious death of Kasturi Samantaray, a promising student and athlete from Sanaadhanga, also remains unresolved. Kasturi passed away in November 2017, shortly after returning from a sports camp. Allegations of misconduct by a sports teacher surfaced, leading to protests, yet the investigation led by then-Inspector General Soumendra Priyadarshi has not produced any conclusive results.

Additionally, on International Women’s Day in 2015, police allegedly shot and assaulted seven Dalit women and a student during protests against illegal liquor sales in Namatara village. Despite a government-ordered inquiry, the report remains unpublished seven years later, and victims have yet to receive compensation.

The ongoing delays in these cases have sparked public outrage, with many questioning the effectiveness of law enforcement and judicial systems in the district. As investigations stagnate, victims and their families continue to seek justice and closure.