Man becomes prisoner by proxy for Rs 200 per day

Exchange deal

The incident occurred in the Tihidi area of Bhadrak district where the local police busted an illegal liquor trade racket in the area last week and arrested Abhaya Barik. He was subsequently sent to the local prison.

However three days later, police found out that they had in fact arrested Arjun Barik instead of Abhaya and this was an arrangement between the two men. Arjun had volunteered to go to jail in place of Abhaya who in turn assured him that Arjun would be paid Rs 200 per day for his “services”.

The issue came to light after Arjun’s wife Surati informed a few reporters about the
incident. The Superintendent of Police of Bhadrak, Jai Narayan Pankaj, said a probe had already been ordered into the matter and those responsible for it would be punished.

“The local sub-divisional police officer has already been ordered to inquire into the matter and submit his report as early as possible. Stringent action will be taken against both the police as well as those involved,” said Pankaj, hinting at the possibility of involvement of a few local policemen.

Sources in the state secretariat said the jail department had also ordered an internal inquiry as to how a proxy accused could enter into the prison. “The negligence of the jail authorities is also clearly visible in the case,” a senior home department official said.