To
Prof. Ganesh laljee
Hon’ble Governor, Odisha
Raj bhawan, Bhubaneswar
Sub-
Seeking direction to State Govt. for SIT Inquiry into cold-blooded murder
of Sri Abhimanyu Panda, RTI Activist of
Baliguda of Kondhamal district.
Sir
We, the following signatories i.e, RTI Activists and
Human Rights Activists working under banner
of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan ( a state-level forum spearheading
campaign for effective implementation of RTI Act in Odisha) bring
to notice of office of His Excellency the incidence of cold-murdered murder of our RTI Activist friend Sri Abhimanyu Panda
for necessary orders to State Government.
1.
That, on 10.12.19., while
the whole State was in mood of observing International Human Rights Day for
cause of human rights, the media reported
about cold-blooded murder of Abhimanyu Panda, age 58, RTI Activist at his residence Baliguda ( around 300 kms
from Bhubaneswar, capital of Odisha)
at 7.30 am by
two unidentified assailants. Immediately ,
a five-member team of RTI
Activists of OSAA visited
his house at Baliguda and
met bereaved family members at Bataguda, native place, a 12 kms distance
from Baliguda, sub-divisional headquarter of Kondhamal district .
2.
It is needless to mention here that the incident occurred just 30 ft away from Baliguda police station. This place
is very populated place
of Baliguda township.
3.
During interaction with
family members, his wife
Chhabirani Panda who is
eye-witness of the incident narrated that “ at
around 7.30 am early morning a two
unknown persons came to their
residence and asked her to
meet his
husband Abhimanyu Panda. Accordingly, she informed her husband and
engaged herself in household works. After few
minutes she heard
about heated exchange
of words of his
husband with same
two persons and came out from
home and found his husband’s body lying
on the ground. She called family members and carried her husband to Hospital where doctored
declared dead due to
firing.” On query about
the reasons and life threats, if
any to him, the family member Santosh Padhi, his
brother-in-law appraised the team
his work of RTI expose about mega scams
in Sarangagada College , road
construction work in Baliguda
under Executive Engineer, R&B, Phulbani, PDS Scam in different blocks, huge irregularities in management
of jagannath temple, threats
received by him from contractors, liquor mafia and few
political people of ruling party.
4.
Getting clue from statement
of family members about his RTI
work, the team members inspected
in his home details of files containing
series of RTI Applications
submitted to different authorities and complaints
filed ( a) to District
Superintendent of Excise, Phulbani against
proposal for opening of off
Liquor shop in Ward No. 1 ( Khata No.
106/157, Plot No. 825/1112) resulted in
closing down of liquor shop in Baliguda,
(
b) Rs. 70 lakh scam in hostel construction work in Sarangagada college ( allegation against
Ashok Panda, Contractor), ( c) complaint filed
to Executive Engineer, R& B, Phulbani on huge irregularities in road construction work undertaken
by R.K.D. Construction Company , (d)
Action taken by the Endowment
Commission on his complaint against members of old Management
Committee of Jagannath Temple, Baliguda,
subsequent eviction of hew shop owners
from shops who had illegally occupied shops for
years together, ( e) filling
of more than 50 RTI Applications to
expose PDS Scam. His constant RTI Expose and follow up activity
in form of filling
complaints to appropriate authorities
and public interest litigation
cases in
High Court has posed
big threats to business of
powerful people of that area ,
contractors and corrupt officials.
5.
As a Whistle-blower, Abhimanyu
had made relentless fight against
corruption and irregularities in
Govt. work and protected
public property. The
coteries of corrupt people affected
by his constant RTI work conspired
to finish him and succeeded at last. His death is a bog loss to RTI
fraternity in our state.
6.
As we understand, the police is not conducting investigation
properly. Though two days passed, the police is yet to find out the culprits. The incidence took place just a few away
distances from Baliguda police station.
The unholy alliance of local police
with political people and contractors, liquor mafia of ruling
class can not be ruled
out . We also feel that the local police is hand in glove with the
accused who are still moving scot free.
So, we feel it proper to draw
attention of your good office and seek
direction to State Govt. for inquiry
by a Special Investigation Team ( SIT)
outside of the district. A
thorough investigation is highly required not only identify the accused
but also conspiracy behind his murder. Stringent
action should be taken against
the culprits and the people behind
murder of Abhimanyu. We
also request you
to please direct Director General of Police to issue all police
stations and intelligence
wing to ensure safety
of RTI Activists fighting
against corruption and take
prompt action on FIR lodged by RTI activists in different parts of the
state.
Thanking you
Yours sincerely
Pradip Pradhan and Members of OSAA
State Convener
M-9937843482
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