The recent arrest of Dr Randall Sequeira—a dedicated physician who has spent years delivering vital healthcare to neglected tribal communities in remote corners of Odisha—has triggered widespread condemnation.
Family members and social activist Siddharth Routray have launched a vociferous campaign demanding his immediate and unconditional release, labelling the police action an unjust crackdown.
A Life Dedicated to Tribal Healthcare
Dr Sequeira’s parents, who travelled from Mumbai to Rayagada to visit their son in jail, expressed deep anguish over his detention. His father, Alex Sequeira, noted that his son has spent the last six to seven years selflessly serving marginalised populations across remote and hilly terrain in Bhawanipatna, Koraput, Kalahandi, and Rayagada.
“My son has dedicated his life to providing primary healthcare and spreading health awareness in rural backwaters. He has been targeted simply because of his empathy toward local communities resisting displacement,” said Alex Sequeira, adding that the family retains complete faith in the judiciary.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dr Sequeira’s mother appealed to the legal system for his swift liberation. She emphasised that his abrupt absence has left thousands of vulnerable tribal villagers stranded and deprived of essential medical attention.
Allegations of a Corporate-Driven Conspiracy
Social activist Siddharth Routray launched a scathing attack on the state administration, terming the arrest a calculated conspiracy to muzzle anti-mining protests in the region. Routray pointed out glaring discrepancies in the police procedure, noting that Dr Sequeira’s name was absent from the initial First Information Report (FIR), and he was instead swept up under vague, blanket classifications like “others”.
Routray questioned whether the police machinery was functioning to protect ordinary citizens or acting in the interests of corporate giants like Vedanta. Highlighting the gravity of slapping severe charges such as attempted murder on a medical professional who has healed thousands, Routray urged the Chief Minister to intervene immediately.
“Instead of locking up a selfless doctor in a jail cell, a physician of his caliber who works tirelessly for the impoverished deserves national recognition and accolades,” Routray asserted.
As pressure mounts from civil society organisations and families alike, all eyes remain fixed on the judicial process as supporters anxiously await justice and the doctor’s imminent release.
