Odisha: OHRC orders probe into orphan’s welfare denial over conflicting records

Bhubaneswar, Aug 25 (IANS) The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the Sundargarh district Collector to conduct a thorough probe after a physically disabled orphan alleged that serious errors in his parentage records had deprived him of essential government assistance.

The rights body issued the directions on Monday while hearing a petition filed by the complainant, Karan Ekka.

According to the commission’s order, Ekka, who has hearing impairment, claims to have been brought up across various Child Care Institutions (CCIs) in the district. He alleged that different institutional and educational records recorded different names for his father and mother, while his Aadhaar card listed the Superintendent of CCI Sishubhawan as his father.

The order noted that despite bringing the discrepancy to the authorities’ notice, no effective steps were taken to ascertain his parentage and correct the records. As a result, Ekka has been deprived of benefits and assistance otherwise available to him as an orphan and a person with special disability.

Observing that the situation compromised the orphan’s basic rights to equality and dignity, the OHRC directed the Sundargarh Collector to initiate a detailed probe through the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) and submit a report with relevant documents within five days. The enquiry must establish the circumstances under which Ekka was admitted to and transferred between CCIs.

The DCPO has been tasked with examining Ekka’s original admission records, case history and the circumstances under which conflicting parental names were registered. The probe will also determine whether any enquiry was conducted to establish his biological parentage or legal status as an orphan and, if so, its outcome.

Investigators will also look into why Ekka was reportedly not permitted to stay in his CCI after completing Class X, whether proper transition procedures were followed, and what remedial measures can be taken to ensure he is not further deprived of scholarships and welfare entitlements.

Given the urgency of the youth’s plight, the commission has ordered the Sundargarh Collector, the DCPO and the superintendents of Sarbabhoutik, Sishubhawan and Adruta CCIs to appear virtually before the commission during the next hearing on September 1, 2026.

In a stern directive, the commission instructed district authorities to ensure that Ekka faces no adverse or retaliatory action for bringing his grievances before the human rights watchdog.

–IANS

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