Odisha Home Dept issues directions to prevent Honor Killings

ONI Bureau:  The Odisha Home Department on Wednesday issued Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent incidents relating to honour killing across the State.

The Department also mentioned that such crimes would invite serious consequence under the law.

As per the directions of the Supreme Court on the preventive and remedial measures of honour killing, issued on Tuesday, steps would be taken to identify Districts, Sub-Divisions and/or Villages where instances of honour killing or assembly of Khap Panchayats have been reported in the recent past, e.g., in the last five years.

The necessary compliance issued by Odisha Home Department are:

1: Steps be taken to identify Districts, Sub-Divisions and Villages that are prone to honour killing or assembly of Khap Panchayats (any caste or community in villages/panchayats that at times act as quasi-judicial bodies and pronounce harsh punishments based on regressive and ageold customs and traditions.

2: The Superintendent of Police of each district shall identify Sub-Divisions and Villages and ensure that the officers in charge of the police station in these areas are extra cautious regarding any incidents of inter caste and inter religious marriage in their jurisdiction.

3: Information about any proposed gathering of Khap Panchayats received by any police officer shall immediately be shared with superior officers and District Superintendent of Police who shall take steps to prevent such gatherings/meetings by interacting with the members concerned. He should also take measures to deploy adequate police force in the area and direct the officer in charge of the area concerned to remain vigilant.

4: The event must be video shot in order to facilitate suitable action by the law enforcing machinery as per law.

5: The IIC of concerned police station shall forthwith lodge FIR and take prompt action under appropriate provisions of law under direct and personal supervision of DSP/SP/DCP leading investigation of the case to its logical end.

6: In spite of the measure, is such a meeting takes place, a senior police officer (SP/DSP) will remain present and see that no such decision is taken which is likely to cause any harm to the couple or members of their family. The report on this behalf shall be submitted by the SP/DSP to the District Magistrate/ Sub-divisional Magistrate of the district for issuing orders to take preventive steps under Section 144 and 151 CrPC.