New Delhi, 14th February, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that a mentally challenged woman is being kept chained to a bamboo grove by her family in District Balasore, Odisha. The family is in BPL category and unable to afford the medical expenses for her treatment.


The Commission observing that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha and the District Magistrate, Balasore to submit a report in the matter within two weeks. They have also been directed to inform the Commission of the steps taken for her treatment.


The media report was forwarded by NHRC's Special Rapporteur (East Zone-I), Mr. Damodar Sarangi seeking intervention of the Commission.


Reportedly, the woman, aged 30 years, has been residing with her parents at village Jirtala or Kasba Jaypur G.P. in District Balasore. She has been suffering from mental illness for the last over six years. She has been resorting to violence and assaulting people quite often. To ward off further trouble, the villagers along with her family members have chained her to a bamboo grove.

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