The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) takes suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that an elderly woman in Mahuldiha village, Sundargarh district, Odisha, faces social ostracisation for 12 years. According to the reports, villagers allegedly do not support the woman’s family when she dies, including during the performance of her last rites. The sources state that the last rites are carried out only after intervention by local administration, with involvement from some local NGOs.
The NHRC notes that, if the allegations are true, the circumstances raise potential human rights concerns. The Commission issues a notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary and seeks a detailed report on the incident within two weeks. The NHRC’s action is based on the contents of the media report dated 11 June 2026.
The reported background includes the claim that the family is ostracised after a penalty is imposed by villagers following an incident in which the woman’s daughter briefly leaves home with a man from another caste.
