Monday, December 16, 2019

Memo submitted to Governor, Odisha seeking SIT Inquiry into murder of RTI Activist



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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