“Rising trend of State sponsored attacks on
RTI Activists using police as an instrument to check RTI Activism in Odisha” –
A Report
(The pattern of frequent attacks on
Activists establishes a high level conspiracy of Mafia and politicians of
ruling party Biju Janata Dal strongly
backed by the police is designed to discourage the RTI activism and promote
corruption in Odisha)
Trend
of Merciless Attack and murder of RTI Activists
is on rise in different parts of the country. Odisha is no way free from this heinous practice
of subverting RTI Activism. Within 15 years of implementation of RTI Act,
Odisha has witnessed massive use of RTI to
expose corruption, irregularities, illegalities in administration by different section of
people backed by new brand named RTI Activist. Many Social activists imbibed with
zeal and vigor are
seen involved in RTI
Activism with sole intention to
fight out corruption perpetuated by
the political machinery of the state during
period of Chief Minister ship of Nabin patnaik. RTI Activists are always seen at loggerheads with
the State administration, corrupt Govt.
officials, Mafia, contractors while
exposing corruption, irregularities in Govt. programme, malfunctioning of
administration, favouritism and manipulation in Govt. appointment, malpractice
in procurement etc. Irregularities and illegalities in allotment of land
/plot to politicians, bureaucrats, private educational institutions
like KIIT, KISS, Jagatguru Krupalu Yoga Trust, Sri Sri Rabi Shankar
University, Maa Ambruta Mayee Devi Trust by General Administration
Department, BDA, CDA, Odisha State Housing Board, IDCO, Illegalities in
allotment of mining operation to the companies, pendency of crores of
rupees of water tax and electricity tax against companies, illegal
closure of SIET and OKCL ghotala, false media hype aout various programme y State Got., illegal
occupation of Govt. quarters by former MLAs and Ministers and ex-Govt.
employees for years together, black-marketing and adulteration of food items
allotted under ICDS, MDM, NREGA Scam, irregularities and corruption in
distribution of PDS items etc.
and many other. This expose has not only put the Govt. in trouble
but has brought to limelight the true character of so-called eminent people of
society and their crime. Armed with information obtained through
RTI, Activists have taken up various issues by approaching High Courts,
Human Rights Commissions, Central Vigilance Commission, CBI and Tribunals like
National Green Tribunal seeking justice. The 2017 order of National Green Tribunal to Govt.
of Odisha to get returned back of 18 acres of forest land illegally acquired by
KIIT & KISS is one of the best success stories of intervention of Human
Rights Activists in the state.
On
the other hand, RTI Activism has paid its own price with a good number of RTI
Activists being subjected to humiliation, threats of arrest, implicated with
false case and murder. The State
machinery and Mafias have conspired to tarnish
their image and belittle
their work branding them as
black-mailer , extortionists etc. Even to check growing activism, the Odisha
Information Commission ( Sri D.N.Padhi ,
SCIC and Sri Jagadanand Mohanty, SIC ) has gone to the extent of filling defamation
case against two RTI Activists in the court of
Civil Judge (Senior Division) Bhubaneswar. The attack on the RTI
Activists in Odisha are not just an incident, but a new pattern of attack
with well organized manner to make RTI dysfunctional.
Glimpses of Incident are corroborated for
the readers in this posting.
|
Date/ Month of
Incident
|
Name of Activists
suffered and their address
|
Type of case
|
Details of incidents
|
|
23.1.2008
|
(1)
N. A. Shah Ansari, Konark, Puri
(M-94370-36471)
|
Case
of Humiliation
|
On
23.1.2008, Mr. N.A. Shah Ansari, RTI
Activist of Puri district had visited the office of Gop Block, Puri district
in connection with RTI query. Mr.
Manmohan Senapati, the then ABDO who was in charge of BDO misbehaved
him and asked him to get out and called his peon to oust Mr. Ansari from his
office room. Being humiliated, Mr.
Ansari filed an FIR against Mr. Senapati in local Police Station, Gop. A fact-find team comprising Pradip Pradhan,
Sudarshan Chhotaray and Sri Pradipta Nayak had visited block office and Gop police station to ascertain the fact.
But the Team could not meet BDO. The
police assured the team to take action. But it was found the case was
dropped.
|
|
17.2.2009
|
(2)
Gopabandhu Chhatria, Deogaon, Bolangir
M- 96685-23372
|
False
case was filed and put behind bar.
|
Gopabanbhu
Chhatria, a poor BPL person of Deogan Block under Bolangir district had filed RTI Application dt. 25.10.2008 seeking
information from PIO, Office of Deogan
Block, Bolangir about
details of documents including copy of Muster Roll, Bills and Vouchers
against the expenditure reportedly made in the construction of Kandenjore Check-dam
under Jarasingha village. The PIO
received the application and asked the applicant Mr. Chhatria to come to
Block office on 10.11.08 to get the information. When Mr. Chhatria reached
there on the said date, the PIO without any rhyme or reason asked him to come
again on 15.12.08 to receive the information by depositing Rs.302.50. On
16.12.08, Mr. Chhatria deposited the said amount against the requested
information in the Block office. The
PIO in his letter No. 78 dated 17.1.09 informed Mr. Chhatria to take
information. Mr. Chhtria visited the Block Office on 24.1.09 and was given
some information. Mr. Chhatria however found that the information was
incomplete and also un-attested. On 29.1.09, he returned all the information
to the PIO requesting him to provide the attested information. He filed a complaint case against the PIO
in the office of the State Information Commission.
Mr.
Chhatria had also submitted another application seeking samples of the
materials used in the construction of the said check-dam. The PIO of Deogan
Block never responded to his application. Being aggrieved, Mr. Chhatria
lodged a complaint against PIO before Orissa Information Commission under
Section 18 of RTI Act.
Having felt disturbed by the above RTI Applications, the Block officials
including BDO hatched a conspiracy against Mr. Chhatria. an
FIR was lodged against him in the local police station. Mr.Chhatria was arrested on 17.2.2009 and
put behind the Bar. Spending four days in jail, he was released on 21.2.2009. Now, the lower court, Bolangir has rejected the case and freed him from any penalty on 24.7.2010 .
|
|
31.11.09
|
(3)
Kedar Nanda, Bolangir
M- 96689-89123
|
Case
of false rape case
|
Mr.
Kedar Nanda, RTI Activist of Bolangir had filed an RTI Application to the
PIO, Office of DSWO, Bolangir seeking
some information about ICDS project on 11.11.2009. The PIO forwarded the
application to the PIO, Office of CDPO, Bolangir Block to provide the
information to the applicant Mr. Nanda. Getting telephonic call from the
office of CDPO, Bolangir on 29.11.2009, he visited the office and met Mrs.
Bidyut Prava Mohanty, CDPO. Having seen him, Mrs. Mohanty got enraged and
started threatening him of dire consequence using unparliamentarily
languages, if he pursues the RTI Application. Mr. Nanda got disturbed and
argument and counter argument continued for few minutes. Being humiliated, Mr. Nanda left the
office. On. 31.11.09, Mr. Nanda came to know that an FIR has been filed by
CDPO against him and the Police are searching to arrest him. The allegation
of misbehavior, using abusive language to a lady officer was found
against him in FIR. Being absconded
for around 4 months to avoid arrest, Mr. Nanda with help of HRLN, Bhubaneswar
succeeded in getting bail from Orissa
High Court. Mr. Nanda has not got any information. His complaint
petition in the office of Orissa Information Commission has been disposed
with order of penalty against CDPO. In the meantime, Sri Nanda has been
acquitted in the court of JMFC, Bolangir.
|
|
2009
|
(4)
Nrusingha Mohapatra, Sakhigopal, Puri
M- 99385-76281
(C.C.
No. 485/2007)
|
A
case of Humiliation by Odisha Information Commission
|
On
29.12.06, Nrusingha Mohapatra, a Citizen from Puri district, had applied to
the PIO, office of Commissioner of Endowments, Orissa,
Being
perturbed and disturbed by such behavior
and without getting complete
information, Sri Nrusingha Mohapatra has
submitted complaint to Governor, Orissa demanding action against Mr.
D.N.Padhi on 1.9.2009.
|
|
2010
|
(5)
Kunja Bihari Patra, Dasapalla, Nayagarh
M- 98616-56487
Complaint
Case No- 1289/08 disposed on 21.6.10
|
A
case of humiliation by Odisha Information Commission
|
On
29.5.08, Mr. Kunja Bihari Patra, RTI Activist of Nayagarh district had
submitted RTI Application to the PIO, Jagannath Prasad Panchayat
Samiti, Ganjam district asking for details of expenditure made for
construction of road from Kanikapanhara to Badagunduribari during January
2004 to May 2008. Getting no information, Mr. Patra filed a Complaint case in
the office of Orissa Information Commission on 25.8.2008. On third hearing in the office of the Commission dated
5.4.10, Mr.D.N.Padhi State Chief Information
Commissioner hearing the case asked Mr. Kunja to speak his
grievances. But Mr. Patra responded that he had not received any information
from the PIO. Additionally Mr. Patra alleged that the PIO had violated
Section 7(5) of the Act by asking a BPL person like him to deposit Rs.1000/-
towards the cost of information. But at this point the Chief Commissioner Mr.
Padhi strongly told that there was no such provision in Orissa RTI Rules to
provide the information to the BPL people free of cost. When Mr. Patra
referred to Section 7(5) of RTI Act and also told that Orissa RTI Rules 2005
nowhere provides for collecting costs of information from a BPL person, Mr.
D.N. Padhi instantly ran into his tempers and simply misbehaved with him and
asked him in a biting sarcasm, “Can you
purchase vegetable from the market free of cost by showing your BPL Card?”. It is also astonishing that Mr. D.N.Padhi has
mentioned in his direction that “the
complainant had already received the requested information as confirmed by
him during the hearing”, which is absolutely false. On 20.9.10, being
aggrieved and disappointed by the behavior of Mr. Padhi, Mr. Kunja B. Patra
has filed complaint to Governor,
Orissa to take action against him under section 17 of RTI Act.
|
|
18.1.
2010
|
(6)
Harishankar Panigrahi, Sambalpur.
M-99382-13597
Complaint
Case No. 1430/2007.
|
A
case of threat of arrest by Sri Jagadanand Mohanty, the then Information
commissioner
|
Sri
Harishankar Panigrahi of Sambalpur had submitted an RTI Application on
19.7.07 seeking information from the Public Information Officer, Office of
Sub-Collector, Kuchinda Sub-Division in Sambalpur district. Without getting
any information, he made 1st Appeal to the 1st Appellate
Authority, but the latter refused to receive it. Then he sent it by
registered post, which was returned back. Then he made second appeal to
Orissa Information Commission on 26.6.08.
The
hearing of the case was held by Mr. Jagadanand on 18.1.2010 at the
Collectorate Conference Hall, Sambalpur. Mr. R.C. Behera and Mr. Nepal Munda,
APIO were present. During the hearing, Sri Panigrahi showed a discrepancy in the proceedings of
the 1st hearing which took place on 11.11.09 and a news clipping
containing information about Mr.
Ramesh Ch. Behera attending as presiding officer in the meeting of GP for
no-confidence motion against Sarapanch. It means the statement made by the
Commission in the last hearing that “the Sub-Collector has sought leave for
attending as presiding officer in GP meeting was false and fabricated”. He
also got astonished after having gone through the proceedings of 1st
hearing that the Sub-collector and PIO had sought leave for involvement in
drought like situation, which was again false as it contradicts the statement
of the Commission. He also felt dismayed as to how the Commission itself
believes without any scrutiny false information submitted during the hearing
and puts them in the proceedings. He
demanded action to be taken against Sub-Collector, who provided false
information about his absence during the hearing. Mr. Jagadanand suddenly got angry and threatened to arrest him by calling the
Superintendent of Police. He again
felt greatly troubled to notice the threatening attitude of Mr. Jagadanand. Sri
Panigrahi had made complaint to the Governor, Orissa demanding dismissal of
Mr. Jagadanand from the office of OIC.
|
|
1st
week of August’10
|
(7)
Rabindra Nath Nayak, Gop, Puri district
M- 92370-33351
|
A
case of physical assault by officials and dealers
|
Mr.
Rabindra Nath Nayak is an RTI Activist of Puri district. He had got
Soochanashree Award in 2008 for his best performance on RTI in the state. He
has submitted an RTI Application to the PIO, office of the Gop Block seeking
some information about distribution of food-grains under PDS in the month of
July’2010. As corruption in
distribution of PDS was quite visible in his area, his
RTI Application was
basically directed to expose corruption and mal-practice in
PDS. Having seen the content of RTI Application, the corrupt officials and
the dealers got enraged and decided to attach him. In the first week of
August’2010, Mr. Gyanendra Mohanty, local dealer misbehaved and physically assaulted using
abusive words to Sri Rabindra Nayak in his village. Mr. Nayak filed an FIR in
local police station. The police did not take any steps against the culprits.
|
|
December,
2010
|
(8)
Sri Pradip Pradhan, Bhubaneswar and Sri Chitta Behera, Cuttack
M- 9437577546
|
A
case of defamation filed by Odisha Information Commission against RTI
Activists
|
Sri
D.N. Padhi, then Chief Information Commissioner and Sri Jagadanand Mohanty, then State
Information Commissioner had lodged a
defamation/ damage suit valued Rs.1 lakh in the Court of Civil Judge (Senior
Division) Bhubaneswar against two RTI activists of the State Sri Pradip
Pradhan and Chitta Behera (CS Suit No. 1723 of 2010-M and Misc Case No. 764
of 2010 both dated 4.10.2010. Pursuant to the said case, the Court had issued
a temporary injunction to the above parties for restraining them from
publishing any defamatory/derogatory remarks in any media against the
Commission or State Chief Commissioner
until the appearance or filing of the show cause before the Court. The Case
is going on.
|
|
2007-2011
|
(9)
Nilamani Joshi , Bolangir
(
struggling Career)
M- 9937608082
|
A
case of physical assault, humiliation and attempt to murder
|
Mr.
Nilamani Joshi is resident of Bolangir, poverty stricken district of Orissa
who submitted RTI Application to Primary Agriculture Cooperative Societies
and Orissa Civil Supply Corporation seeking information about paddy
procurement and role of Revenue Inspector in distribution of Farmers’ identity
card in 2008. It needs to be mentioned here that there was allegation of
corruption, malpractice, and irregularities in paddy procurement by Govt.
officials in Bolangir in 2007. Finding no information, he filed complaint
case (CC No- 965/09, CC No.-1629/08, CC. No—1757/08) to State Information
Commission in 2008. The hearing of the case started in 2009 and still
continuing in the office of the Commission. Within three years of his
fighting of the case, he has been physically assaulted, threatened of murder
and offered one lakh bribe to withdraw the case by the officials and
hooligans. He is still fighting the
case.
|
|
Feb’
2011
|
(
10) Jyoti Ranjan Das,
Pandab
Mohanta , Mahendra Nath Behera,
Ghanashyam Nayak of Mayurbhanj district.
M- 9776351311
|
A
case of harassment by the police
|
These
activists had visited to the office of Thakurmunda Police station
under Mayurbhanj district
to get information under RTI Act. On 14th Feb’2011. When
they reached in the office and enquired to know the information, Mr. Bhagaban
Jena, Inspector-in-Charge physically abused and continued to hackle them for
three hours. Mr. Jena tortured them psychologically and asked them to leave
the place. They left the police station without getting information being greatly
shocked. They filed complaint to Director General of Police, Orissa, SP,
Mayurbhanj, Orissa Information Commission, State Human Rights Commission, and
National Human Rights Commission. But
no action was taken against
him.
|
|
January,
2011
|
(11)
Mr. Salman Reddy, at/Post-Convent
School Road, Dist-Rayagada
|
A
case of brutal attack by vested groups and contractors
|
He had submitted RTI Application to the Public
Information Officer , Office of Soil Conservation Officer , Rayagad seeking
some information about details of watershed project like total allocation of
fund, details of expenditure,
particulars of activities taken up etc. undertaken in Baisingh Gram Panchayat under Rayagada Block on 12.1.2011. After
few days on 17.1.2011, few miscreants came to his house and dragged him to
Mr. Ramesh Chandra Panda, PIO of Soil Conservation office and physically
assaulted, severely beaten up and
abused him using slang language. The PIO asked Salman to withdraw the RTI
Application or face the dire consequence. Then they threatened him not to file case in the
police station and kicked him out from the office. On reaching in the house, he found his body
bleeding. Immediately, his wife took him to hospital for treatment. Having
heard about physical attack by hooligans, the doctor asked them to file an FIR
in the police station. Otherwise, he would not treat them. Then he along with
his wife went to the Police station to file an FIR against the culprits. Mr.
Rajendra Senapati, Inspector In-Charge, Rayagada Police station after going
through the FIR behaved very
rudely and said that ‘why you are using RTI. If you ask for information under
RTI, it is obvious that he or she will be beaten up. Do not use RTI. You get
out from here. I will not receive your application.” Being failed to get his FIR registered, he
returned to home. Being advised by
some people, he again went to the Police station to file FIR. The IIC
received the FIR and took him to the hospital for treatment.
On 18.1.2011, the Inspector-In-Charge made a telephone
at 3 PM and asked me to come to the
police station. I found 18 people who
had beaten up me present there. The IIC forced me to withdraw the case and
all of them also threatened me of dire consequence, if he fails to withdraw
the case. Finding no way to fight it
out, he was forced to compromise with these people and withdraws the case.
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|
2011
|
(12)
Mr. Braja Bihari Swain, a retired
Govt. employee of Nayagarh District
of Orissa
|
A false case filed by Forest Dept., Nayagarh
|
Mr. Braja Bihari Swain, a retired Govt.
employee of Nayagarh District of Orissa is the president of 11Mouza Forest
Protection Committee (an initiative by people of eleven villages for
protecting the forest) for the year 2008 and 2009. While interacting with the people, he came
to know about a massive corruption in CAMPA fund and utilization of Govt. Grants in Ranapur Forest Range. He submitted RTI Application to the PIO, office of Divisional Forest
Officer, Khurda to know the details of
CAMPA project and fund allocated and utilized for the same. Tracing out series of irregularities in CAMPA project after having gone through the information supplied by DFO office, he
submitted a petition to PCCF- Aranya Bhawan,
DG-Vigilance, Govt. of Orissa, Secretary,
Department of Forest and
Environment and Divisional Forest officer, Khurda for an enquiry and take
legal action against the culprits. Being
greatly disturbed and terrified by the complaint petition, the Range-Officer, Ranpur( Abhay Jena) and
Forester, Sankhajodi Beat( Ramesh Chandra Jani) has registered a malicious
and false case of illicit tree felling
against him and threatened to
murder making him as
co-accused with 18 professional timber mafias in Nayagarh district.
|
|
October,
2011
|
(13) Mr. Braja Bihari Swain,
Nayagarh district
|
Case of life threats by Govt. officials
|
Mr. Braja Bihari Swain, aged about
66year, a retired employee of Orissa Forest Development Corporation, in Nayagarh District of Orissa is the president of 11Mouza Forest Protection
Committee (an initiative by people of eleven villages for protecting the
forest) for the year 2008 and 2009.
While interacting with the people, he came to know about a massive
corruption in CAMPA fund and utilization of
Govt. Grants in Ranapur Forest Range.
He submitted RTI Application to
the PIO, office of Divisional Forest Officer, Khurda to know the details of CAMPA project and fund
allocated and utilized for the same. Tracing out series of irregularities in CAMPA project after having gone through the information supplied by DFO office, he
submitted a petition to PCCF- Aranya Bhawan,
DG-Vigilance, Govt. of Orissa, Secretary,
Department of Forest and
Environment and Divisonal Forest officer, Khurda for an enquiry and take
legal action against the culprits. Being
greatly disturbed and terrified by the complaint petition, the Range-Officer, Ranpur( Abhay Jena) and
Forester, Sankhajodi Beat( Ramesh Chandra Jani) has registered a malicious
and false case of illicit tree felling
against him and threatened to
murder making him as
co-accused with 18 professional timber mafias in Nayagarh district.
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|
June,
2012
|
(14)
Jayaram Harpal
At-Khaliapali,
Post-Raksa, Via-Bausuni, Dist-Boudh
|
A
case of brutal attack by vested groups and criminals
|
On 16.6.2012, he had submitted RTI Application to
the PIO, office of Manupali Gram Panchayat,
Manamunda Block of Boudh district, Odisha seeking some information about distribution
of PDS item in his Panchayats. The PIO did not provide the information. On
20.8.2012, at Gudguda Chhak of the
Panchayat, Sri Braja Mukunda Meher, ex-Sarapanch and his associates
attacked Jayaram using abusive languages and threatened him to withdraw
the RTI Application. On the next day, they went to his village and
attacked his parents, ransacked his house.
Jayaram filed the case against them in local police station,
Manamunda. But the Police did not take a action against the miscreants rather
arrested Jayaram and sent him to Jail. Jayaram released after one month and
was forced to leave the village. He has filed the case in State Human Rights
Commission, Odisha to get justice on 10.11.12. State Human Rights Commission
called for a action take report from SP, Boudh. Nothing happened.
|
|
2013
|
(15)
Sri Jayant Kumar Parida, Rajnagar Block
of Kendrapara district
|
A
case of brutal attack by
miscreants in collusion with Officials
|
Sri Jayant Kumar Parida , RTI
Applicant from Rajnagar
Block of Kendra district had submitted
3 RTI Applications dated
23.5.12, 28.5.12, 13.8.12 to the Public Information Officer, office of Rajnagar Block, Kendrapara district seeking some information about
details of dealers of Balisahipatna
Gram Panchayat including the quality
of PDS communities lifted and
distributed month-wise, surplus
quantity, number of beneficiaries under Antodaya Anna Yojana, Annapurna anna
Yojana, Details of beneficiaries of
old pension and widow pension etc. Finding no information, Sri Das, made
an appeal to the First Appellate Authority to get the information. The FAA
did not hear the case. Then Second Appeal was preferred to the Odisha
Information Commission on 6.12.12.
Hearing the case, the Commission issued direction to the PIO for
allowing the applicant to inspect the files. On 8. 10.13, when he reached I
Blok office, he faced organized attack by contractors and forced to leave the
place. He could not get information.
|
|
2013
|
(16)
Kailash Pradhan, diehard RTI User of
Nandighar under Deogaon block of
Nayagarh district
|
Case of physical attack by miscreants and Contractors resulted
in chopping off of his hand
|
Kailash ,
a mechanic by
profession was indulged to fight
out corruption in various development
projects going on in his area
y using RTI Applications. He
had filed several RTI Applications in the
office of BDO, Deogaon,
Executive Engineer , RD, Irrigation seeking
photocopy of details of utilization
of fund and bill and vouchures. The
corrupt officials and
contractors threatened him
to withdraw RTI Application. But
he kept continuity
in pursuing RTI Applications in
his endeavor to fight out
corruption. One
day, while he was on his way to home, a group of miscreants gheraoed him and
chopped off his right hand with
threats that he
could never write RTI
Application in future. Though he
filed FIR in Deogaon police
station, no culprit
was arrested. All of them got bail.
After 6 years when the trail
started in the lower court,
he was again threatened to withdraw the case. At
last his family members withdrew the case. After
a long treatment, his hand
could not recover. It
remained permanently disable.
|
|
Feb.2014
|
(17)
Sri Sunil Mishra, Berhampur, Ganjam
|
A
case of brutal attack and mercilessly beaten up by dreaded criminals in connivance with Govt. officials
|
Sri Sunil Mishra,
resident of Indira Nagar, Berhampur had submitted RTI Applicatio to
the office of District Industries Centre
to expose huge irregularities and corruption in that office.
On 19.2.2014, Sri Mishra,
was mercilessly beaten up at 1.30 PM in the office of District Industries
Centre, Berhampur of Ganjam district by
anti-socials in collusion with officials. He lost his sense on the
spot and few people carried him to M.K.C.G Hospital. He underwent treatment in hospital for 3 days
and got discharged on 23.2.14. As he is a patient of heart problem, his
family took him to Bangalore for proper treatment. He has not been able to talk till yet. He filed an FIR in local police station,
Baidyanath Pur police station on 21.2.14. The police did not take any steps.
Sri Pradip Pradhan, RTI Activist of Odisha personally met Mr. Sanjib Marik,
then Special DG of police to take action against the culprits. Nothing
happened. Sri Pradhan filed a
complaint case on 24.2.14 in the
office of Odisha Human Rights Commission. Nothing happened.
|
|
March,
2014
|
(18)
Sri Mangal Roy, RTI Activist, Deogaon
Block of Bolangir district
|
A
case of brutal attack by the officials and contractors
|
On 1.3.14, Mangal Ray, a Dalit RTI Activist
working in Bolangir district had visited Deogaon Block to submit RTI
Application seeking information about details of road construction work
undertaken from Jarasingha RD road to Udar RD road under NREGA in 2012-13,
estimate copy, details of expenditure
including copy of bill and vouchures etc.
When he was filing RTI application to the PIO, the Junior Engineer of
the Block along with some hooligans and contractors entered into the office
and asked him purpose of his visit.
Then they started beating him mercilessly with blow and fist and
forced him to withdraw the application. The officials present in the office
neither protested nor came to his rescue. The hooligans also used slang
language taking name of his caste and threatened him to leave the office. His
RTI Application was tore up into pieces.
Sri Mangal left the office. He was so frightened that he could not
file FIR. His case was filed in Odisha
Human Rights Commission. But nothing has happened.
|
|
December,
2014
|
(19)
Sri Ganesh Chadra Panda , Berhampur,
Ganjam
|
A
case of murder by Contractors in connivance with Officials
|
This is the first case of murder of RTI Activist
in Odisha. Sri Ganesh handra Panda
had filed series of RTI
Applications ( for example, road work from
Thakurani Road to Bedha Bandh village) before the office of Rangeilunda Block
to access information about road construction works undertaken
under NREGA and Phylin, Flood Damage Restoration Projects of the Govt.
As reported from various sources, huge funds allocated under FDR are being
misappropriated by the Contractors in connivance and complicity with the
Block officials. He was using RTI to expose the corruption and ensure
effective implementation of the above programmes. On 28.12.14, he was
murdered by unidentified criminals, when he was on morning walk. The
police arrested few people in this
case.
|
|
31.1.15
|
(20)
Sri Krupasindhu Sahu, Niali Block of Cuttack district
|
A
case of kidnap and murder by Supari Killer backed
politicians of ruling party.
|
Sri Krupasidhu Sahu had filed several RTI
Applications to the PIO, office of Deputy Director, Agriculture, and Cuttack
seeking information about details of utilization of BGREI undertaken in Niali
block. His RTI query exposed the irregularities and misappropriation of fund
by the political powerful people. His expose
enraged the people involved in the scam and created enmity with them. They
engaged a supari killer who kidnapped
and murdered him on 26.1.15
|
|
Feb.2014
|
(21)
Rama Chandra Mallik, RTI-User of
Kotasahi Gram Panchayat under
Tangi-Choudwar Block of Cuttack
district
|
A
case of threats to murder by Contractors and influential political people
|
Rama Chandra Mallik, RTI-User of Kotasahi Gram Panchayat
under Tangi-Choudwar Block of Cuttack district had submitted RTI to the PIO,
office of Tangi Blok seeking information about utilization of fund under Mo
Kudia Yojana and NREGA. Appending
trouble due to disclosure of
information under RTI, a few hooligans
of political party entered his house, rebuked him with slang language and threatened him
to murder, if he pursues RTI
Application. They also offered bribe of Rs. 5,000.00 to him to withdraw RTI
Application. He was threatened of murder by political touts and contractors
and forced to withdraw RTI
Application.
A complaint case was filed in NHRC, New Delhi (
Case No.- 265/18/3/3014) . NHRC issued direction to DG, Police to enquire
into the matter on 7.3.14. The DG, police produced
the report on 11.5.2014. The outcome
of the case is not informed y the victim.
|
|
10.10.2014
|
(22)
Shaktipada Biswas, Kalimela, Dist-Malkangiri
|
Case of
threats by a stranger
|
Sri Shaktipada Biswas, Kalimela of Malkangiri
district had submitted RTI application to the PIO, office of DFO, Malkangiri
seeking information about details of plantation programme undertaken and expenditure
made for the same in Kalimela area. It was reported that there was huge corruption
in plantation programme. After it, he got a threat by someone by mobile to
withdraw the application. Then a
complaint case was filed by Pradip Pradhan, RTI Activist to the SP,
Malkangiri. Nothing happened to him.
|
|
2015
|
(23)
Prasant Behera
At –Routpada PO-Shukleswar PS-
Chandbali Dist- Bhadrak,
|
Case
of life threats and attack
|
He
had filed RTI Application dt.
21.11.14 seeking information about detail expenditure for the construction of Anganwadi House of Bhattapada GP
under Chandbali block and PDS. After
receiving the RTI application , the affected villagers threatened him in front of his house by using filthy
slang language. He ignored and filed appeal before First Appellate
Authority on 24.12.2014. Apprehending the expose of corruption,
the culprits threatened to kill him. One day, the
villagers attacked and
physically assaulted my younger brother till he lost sense. It is noted that they
dragged his younger brother from 108
vehicle , thrown him out near our village and beaten him up severely at
night (9pm). Though FIR was filed ,
the police did not take any steps. Then Second appeal was filed before
information commission. During hearing
of Second appeal petition in In May, 2017, the
culprits threatened him to
withdraw the RTI application ,which is related to the food items under Public distribution system
(PDS), within 7days. When he refused, the culprits again attacked
him. Then he filed second FIR at police station, police took 5days to
register the FIR . ut astonishingly, two police officers named Dhanurjay
Munda & Ravindra Khuntia threatened him to withdraw otherwise a counter FIR will be filed by opposite
party and you would e arrested soon. The
police forced him to
file compromise petition at the
behest of culprits.
|
|
19.7.15
|
(24)
Pabitra Bhoi , Anlo GP, Niali Block of Cuttack District
M- 9437049095
|
Case
of life threats by goons of Sarapanch
|
On 13.7.15,
Pabitra Bhoi, a Dalit had filed RTI Application to the PIO, Office of Anlo
Gram Panchayat seeking information about allotment of houses under Indira Awas
Yojana to ascertain fact about allegation of
irregularities in allotment. Photocopy of his RTI Application
was distributed to the people who were
allotted houses illegally. On
19.7.15, A group of people entered into his house and used abusive language and threatened him of dire
consequences , unless he
withdraws the RTI Application. On
20.7.15, he lodged FIR in Niali police station and complaint to SP, Cuttack for inquiry
into the matter and action
against the culprits. He had also approached Odisha Human Rights Commission for justice.
|
|
2016
|
(25)
Suvam Sarathi, 10 year old of Kalandi Rout of Bhagabanpur, Post- Marshaghai of Kendrapara district
M- 9861945561
|
Case
of physical attack and
attempt to murder
|
Suvam
Sarathi, 10 year old son of Kalandi
Rout was brutally attacked severely injured on
head by a group of miscreants in the midnight around 1
o’clock on 10.5.16, when he was asleep. The boy has sustained
severe head injuries and is still struggling for survival in the SCB College
and Hospital, Cuttack. His fault was
that he was son
of Kalandi Rout , a daily
wage labourer who had
filed RTI Application to expose the misappropriation
of around Rs. 15 lakh in connection with repair of Udayabata Upper
Primary School along with misutilization of Mid-Day-Meal fund by the
Head Master of the School in league with Block Education Officer and
District Education Officer. Though he
filed FIR, the police tried to protect the culprits. However, massive Rally and Gherao
was organised by Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan
In Kendrapara district demanding
arrest of the culprits
and ICU treatment to
Sovam in S.C. B. College and Hospital. He got cured and
culprits arrested.
|
|
24.4.2017
|
(26)
Subas Mohapatra, Bhubaneswar
M- 8249577466
|
Case of
threats of murder
|
On 25.4.2017, Subas Mohapatra
filed a complaint
in Khandagiri Police station
alleging threats of murder received
two strangers on the road to withdraw case filed against Achyut Samant of KIIT. Subas had filed a petition in National Green
Tribunal, Kolkatta against Kalinga Institute of Social science , Patia acquiring 18 acres of forest land illegally after getting the information under RTI Act. Hearing the
case No. oA92/2016-EZ, the NGT
had directed to the
state Govt. to immediately vacant the land and undertake fencing. Sri Subas
Mohapatra had also filed another case in Odisha High Court against KIIT for violation of FCRA. ( WPC 6134/2017).
Though the police registered the
case but did not
conduct any inquiry.
|
|
3.5.2017
|
(27) Pradip Pradhan
RTI Activist
|
Petrol attack on Family member of Pradip Pradhan
|
2-3 unknown
persons were keeping watch on his
movement and making round near his resident since last few weeks. On 3rd May
2017, two unknown boys attacked his sister near the Maitri Vihar Police Out Post by
pouring a glass of petrol on her while she was returning back to home from
her working place at 8 PM. After this petrol attack, his sister shouted so
that the attacker started their motor bike and left the place instantly, else
they could have burnt her alive by putting fire on her. It is clear that they
were fully prepared to attack on Mr Pradhan. But , their plan failed as
Pradhan had not returned home at that
time. So, they attacked his sister to make him fear and warned him not to
expose the scams in future. From this incident, it is obvious that there
conspiracy to kill Pradip Pradhan. This is cowardice & condemnable
activity of corrupt peoples.
Mr Pradhan had lodged FIR at Chandrasekharpur
Police Station to investigate the matter & immediate arrest of the
attackers. He also demanded to give justice to his sister by taking stringent
action against the culprits and all others those are mastermind of this
petrol attack on his sister. An FIR is registered by police ( Case No.161 dt.
3.5.2017 ) under section 448,326, 506 of
IPC accordingly. A case has been filed in National Human Rights
Commission with case no. 2509/18/28/2017. A case has also been filed in Odisha Human Rights Commission which is still pending.
|
|
8.5.2017
|
(28) Bansidhar Nayak, Odagaon Block , Nayagarh
district
|
Case of merciless attack by BJD goons
|
There is huge corruption and
misappropriation of lakhs of rupees in implementation of NREGA work, Biju
Pucca Yojana in Giridipali Gram Panchayat under Odagaon Block of Nayagarh
district. RTI Activist Shri Bansidhar Nayak used RTI to expose the
corruption. He unearthed how lakhs of
rupees has been misappropriated by preparing false Bill and vouchers. BJD
party workers, Sarapanch, and Block Chairman are involved in this corruption.
Due to his ceaseless effort to fight out corruption, they have masterminded
to organize an attack on Bansidhar Nayak. A group of 10 BJD workers mostly
anti- socials attacked his house on 8.5.17 in night at 10pm. They pelted
stones at his house and beaten up severely to Bansidhar Nayak and his elder brother Debaraj Nayak while they
were on the way to hospital. They were hospitalized for 10 days in Nayagarh
District Hospital. The Deogaon police
registered the case and four culprits caught by police & sent to
jail. But interestingly, the opposite party filed counter FIR against
Bansidhar Nayak and put pressure on police to arrest him.
|
|
10.5.17
|
(29) Sankar Panigrahi, Bolangir
M- 8456021014
|
Case of
police threats
|
On 10th May 2017, RTI Activist Shri
Shankar Prasad Panigrahi from Balangiri
district received a telephone
call from 7682955014 , an unknown person
and introduce himself as Police Officer working in SDPO , Balangir.
That unknown police officer abused Shankar Panigrahi , threatened to rape his
wife and murdered him in police
encounter because he had written “Go Back
Narayan Naik” in his facebook account and uploaded a video clippings of protests against the lower Suktel irrigation
project in 2013 & assault on protestors by Narayan Naik, the then
Balangir SDPO . Narayan Naik is again posted as the SDPO of
Balangiri district who had beaten up
more than 200 common peoples during protest against lower suktel project under the banner of Budi Anchala Sangram
Parisad. Narayan Naik himself had beaten up journalist and social activist
Shri Amitav Patra and Lenin Kumar those were leading the protest.
Mr. Panigrahi had recorded the entire telephonic
conversation and shared with other activists via whatsapp. On 13.5.17,
Sankar had filed FIR in Bolangir police
station seeking investigation into the matter. The Bolagir
Sadar police station registered FIR no. 0155(IPC-506,507) dt.15.5.17
and the investigation by police is going on but the culprit has not been
arrested till date. A case has been filed in National Human Rights
Commission and Odisha Human
Rights Commission also.
|
|
12.5.2017
|
(30) Keshab Mahakud , Nayagarh
|
Case of
brutal attack
|
On 12th May 2017, physically challenged
RTI Activist Shri Keshab Mahakud was physically assaulted and attacked by a group of miscreants near the Sani
Mandir , Vanivihar which is stone throwing distance from Sahid Nagar Police Station. Some days
before this incident he had asked some information under RTI which is related
to CAMPA project in Nayagarh and the DFO , Nayagarh offered Rs30,000 to
Mahakud but he refused it and insisted for the information sought by him. He
had taken decision to sit in Dharana before the resident of Shri Bijayshree
Routray,
Hon'ble Minister, Forest & Environment and come to meet to submit the notice regarding
this matter on 12th May 2017. The DFO , Nayagarh was present
at resident of Shri Bijayshree Routray and became angry on Mahakud and abused
him . Mr Mahakud left that place by auto rickshaw but DFO , Nayagarh followed
him and stopped the auto rickshaw at
Sani Mandir at 8pm. He and other three hooligans forced him to sign in blank
paper by stating that he had received all information sought those are
related to CAMPA projects in Nayagarh. Mahakud refused to sign , so they
beaten him and threatened him that he would be killed & thrown to Mahanadi river if
he would try to sit in Dharana or try
to file complain against him for the information. Mr Mahakud shouted , so DFO
and other three hooligans left that place by their bolero as many peoples
gathered there. Mr Mahakud filed a
complaint / FIR at 9PM in Sahid Nagar Police station but concern police
officer did not take any action immediately on this matter and advised the victim to come to police station tomorrow. On 13th
May 2017 an FIR was registered by Police , case no-0214 under section
341,323,506 & 34 of IPC 1860 but the culprits are not arrested till
date. A case has been filed in
National Human Rights Commission with case no. 2552/18/28/2017. Last
year, Sri Mahakud was seriously beaten up by hooligans for seeking
information under RTI and hospitalised for a month in S.C.B. Medical, Cuttack
for his treatment.
|
|
12.5.17
|
(31) Debidatta Manas Ranjan Sethy, Kanas,
Puri
|
Case
of life threats
|
On 12.5.17, Sri Debidatta Manas Ranjan Sethy,
RTI Activist had filed RTI application to the PIO, Office of Divisional
Forest Officer, Puri seeking information about details of Salary received by
Forester, Forest Guard, salary held up and salary sanctioned etc. After
five days of submission of RTI Application, on 18.5.17. Sri Sethy
received a call from Ramakant Dash, Forest official from his Mobile no.
9668776522 . Sri Dash threatened him of withdrawing RTI Application and
chided him using slang language to murder him and throw his body into the sea,
if he pursues the RTI Application. Wife of Ramakant Dash has also
telephonically threatened to the wife of Sri Sethy. He got terribly disturbed
and frightened. He contacted N.A.Shah Ansari, RTI Activist of Konark and
appraised him about threatening call. It was decided to file FIR in Police
station. On 19.5.17, a team of RTI Activists accompanied Sri Sethy and filed
FIR in Matiapada Police station, Kumvarpada , Puri seeking inquiry into the
incident and stern Action against Sri Dash and provide security to the
family. On 24th May
2017, Sri Pradip Pradhan & Sri Srikant Pakalhas filed a case at Odisha
Human Right Commission for justice and protection of life of Sri
Debidatta Manas Ranjan Sethy and
human rights. A case has been registered at NHRC also (case no -2684/18/12/2017).
|
|
16.5.17
|
(32) Raj kishor Das
Retired
CRPF Jawan , Kaptipada block of Mayurbhanj district
M- 7008684248
|
Case of
mercilessly beaten up by hooligans
|
On 1st May 2017, Shri
Raj Kishore Nayak had filed an RTI application to the PIO, office of the Gram
Panchayat, Badakhaladi to access the information regarding allotment of
houses under Biju Puca Yojana, list of beneficiaries and disbursement of
funds under Biju Puca Yojana , Old Age
Pension & Widow Pension Scheme.
The newly elected Sarapanch ,
Smt. Rajashree Marandi and her contractor husband Ajaya Kumar Ghan became
disturbed and revengeful after going through RTI application of Raj Kishore Nayak. Apprehending that it
would expose their wrong-doings and tarnish their image. So, she had made a
plan to save herself by threatening the RTI applicant through her contractor
husband Ajaya Kumar Ghan. While
leaving the office of the Badakhaladi Gram Panchayat after filing of the RTI
application, husband of the sarapanch (Ajaya Kumar Ghan) abused the RTI
applicant in presence of the Sarapanch , Smt. Rajashree Marandi and questioned who are you to ask information
about the activities of Grampanchayat? He also threatened to Raj Kishor
not to enter to the Gram Panchayat
office in future and a false case implicating him under SC & ST ( Prevention of
atrocity) Act will be booked against him, if he will not
withdraw the RTI Application filed by him.
Raj Kishor refused to withdraw the RTI application.
On 4th May 2017, the
RTI applicant (Mr Nayak) filed a complaint before SDOP, Udala regarding this
threatening & requested to take necessary action for the protection of
his life, dignity and fundamental rights.
On 16th May 2017,
while Raj Kishor was returning to his home,
about 10 numbers of
anti-socials and village youths
engaged by Ajaya Kumar Ghan
attacked Raj Kishore Nayak and beaten up black and white. He sustained
severe injury and got medical treatment and filed
FIR in Kaptipada police
station. The police received the FIR
but refused to give copy
of FIR. Raj kishor filed complaint to SDPO, Udala and SP, Mayurbhanj. On 24th May 2017, Raj Kishore
Nayak filed a case at Odisha Human
Right Commission for justice and protection of his life and human rights. A
case has been registered at NHRC (Case No-2683/18/9/2017).
|
|
27.5.17
|
(33) Babi Jena, Hantuka, Puri
M- 6370162729
|
Case of
Merciless attack by hooligans
|
On dt.27.05.2017 , RTI Activist Babi Jena of Hantuka GP
under Puri Sadar Block of puri district was
severely beaten up and his head profusely bleeding by BJD workers due
to his attempt to expose corruption through RTI in Hantuka Primary
Cooperative Society. In the month of April 2017, he
had filed RTI application in the office of Hantuka Primary Cooperative Society
under Puri Sadar Block seeking information about total fund sanctioned for compensation
to be paid to phailin-affected farmers and name of farmers and amount paid to
them. It is to be noted here that huge fund has been misappropriated by
President and Secretary of Society belonging to BJD, false documents has been
prepared in the name of farmers.
Apprehending expose of corruption, President and
Secretary had earlier threatened him to murder unless he withdraws RTI
Application. On 27.5.17, two hooligans engaged by them attacked him and his
friend with weapons in a shop. Babi's head got severely damaged. His friends
rescued him and ensure his treatment in Medical. On 29.5.17, he went to
Chandan Pur Police station to file FIR. But the police misbehaved him using
very slang language. As alleged by Babi, the police is acting as agent of BJD
party. Despite several persuasion, the police did not register Case . Rather
police asked the accused to file counter FIR and forced the victims to sign
the compromise petition. A case has been registered at Odisha Human Right
Commission for justice and protection of his life and human rights.
|
|
January
, 2018
|
(34) Bhakti Charan Palai, Krustanprasad, Puri
M- 9040920608
|
Case of
harassment and putting behind bar
implicating in false case
|
He had filed
multiple RTI Application in the
office of BDO, Brahmagiri
and office of
Inspector-in-Charge, Krustanprasad police station seeking information about various issues. To
check his RTI Activism, the
police and Block administration joined
hand and hatched a conspiracy
to arrest him . Accordingly, Golak
Bihari Rout, Sub-inspector of Krustanprasad police station filed an FIR on 24.1.18
against Bhakti accusing him of his
involvement in an event of police station gherao. On 10.4.18,
while he had been to SP office, Puri to attend first appeal hearing
against the IIC,
Krustanparasad, the
Inspector-in-Charge himself reached
in the office and arrested Bhakti
and forwarded him to jail. He spent 22 days in jail and released
in bail. On 11.5.18, he filed complaint in Odisha Human Rights Commission for
justice which is pending.
|
|
2019
|
(35) Parsuram Pradhan
Social Activist and Ex- Sarapanch
Naktideul of Sambalpur block
Contact Manoj Panda- M-8018613850
|
Case of Murder by hooligans
|
Parsuram Pradhan had filed RTI Application to the Salebhata Cooperative
Society seeking information about huge irregularities in
paddy procurement, loan
disbursement etc. Earlier on his
complaint, Secretary of Salebhata Cooperative Society was arrested by Vigilance
Department and jailed. Apprehending expose of more corruption, the people involved
in Cooperative scam murdered Parsuram
Pradhan. The Police arrested four
persons in connection with this murder.
|
|
10th
December, 2019
|
(36) Ahimanyu Panda , Baliguda of
Kondhamal district
Son of Abhimanyu Panda
M- 6370515558
|
Case of
Murder by Supari Killer engaged by
coterie of politicians-
bureaucrats- contractors – Mafias
|
Ahimanyu Panda, eminent RTI Activist of
Kondhamal district was murdered
by two unidentified goons
at his residence in the
early morning at 7 AM on 10th December, 19. He
had filed 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 RTI expose has created
enmity with powerful people who
had conspired to murder
him through Supari Killer. The
Police has arrested 5
people including Supari Killer
but not yet conspirators behind the attack.
|
|
31st
January, 2020
|
(37) Ranjan kumar Das, Patkura Police Station,
Kendrapara district
Balaram Das, brother-in-law of deceased Ranjan
Das
M-9938748025
|
Case
of planned Murder
by Miscreants
|
Ranjan Kumar
Das, a renowned RTI Activist was
found cold-bloodedly
murdered by vested interest groups in Kendrapara district in the night of 31st
January 2020. This is a planned murder
by vested groups who conspired to murder
him apprehending that their
corruption would be exposed by
Ranjan who had filed several RTI Applications to
various offices. He
had carried out a number of RTI
sensitive programme to educate the people
about RTI Act. He had personally filed several RTI Applications
to different offices and exposed corruption
in construction of RD Road,
illegal construction of play ground
in his village, illegal construction of OTDC Building inside Bhirakanika Sanctuary under Mahakalapada block, illegal prawn
cultivation by private companies,
corruption in illegal allotment of
houses under IAY/ PMAY, Biju Pucca
Yojana, Irregularities in Anganwadi
Centres. He had filed several
complaints to State Vigilance,
Cuttack and Lokayukta, Odisha. Though the
police registered FIR, But
remained silence without making any
inquiry into his
murder. It is alleged
that the police is trying to suppress the inquiry.
|
|
January,
2020
|
(38) Srikant
Pakal, Choudwar of Cuttack district .
M- 9338455092
|
Case of
life threats by hooligans engaged by top bureaucrats.
|
Sri Srikant Pakal , an RTI Activist had
filed a complaint alleging
corruption and misappropriation
of funds by
Sri Bishnupada Sethy , IAS, the then MIC, Odisha State Cooperative Bank and
presently working as Secretary, Dept. of Energy, Govt. of
Odisha. The Lokayukta has taken cognizance of the complaint case
registering it as LY No. 110/19
and issued notice to Sri Bishnupada Sethy. While Sri Sethy
has filed time petition
for submission of his
reply on one hand, he has engaged
middleman to influence Srikant to withdraw
the case under the threats of attack . On 20.1.20, Sri Srikant Pakal had
filed a complaint to Deputy Commissioner of Police, Cuttack seeking
an inquiry into life-killing
threats by miscreants engaged by Bishnupada Sethy . On 10.2.2020, Sri Pakal had
submitted a petition to
the Director General of Police, Odisha seeking an inquiry into such threats . Though one month
has passed on, the DCP, Cuttack has not conducted any inquiry into it. Srikant had
approached Lokayukta to
conduct an inquiry into the matter . The Chairman of Lokayukta had
issued notice to
the Principal secretary, Dept. of Home
and Director General of police
to reply by 30th
March, 2020.
|
|
January,
2020
|
(39) Simanchal
Jena , Talasara village under
Beguniapada block of Ganjam district ,
M- 9777306007
|
Case
of life threats
by miscreants
|
Sri Simanchal Jena, RTI Activist of
Talasara village under
Beguniapada Block of Ganjam district had
filed a number of complaint cases
in respect of corruption in implementation of development programmes, after
obtaining information under RTI Act. After a notice was issued by Lokayukta, Odisha, the vested
interest groups and contractors have conspired to kill him. On 25.11.19., a
miscreant named Tulu Bhuyan tried to run
a tractor over his body. However he narrowly escaped. On 26.11.19, he was also abused with slang
language by the contractors in the village.
Though he filed an FIR, the police have not conducted any inquiry nor
taken any action against the culprits, and are rather trying to cover up the
whole episode. Simanchal had approached
Lokayukta seeking direction to the police
to conduct an inquiry into the matter. Case is pending
in Lokayukta , Odisha
|
|
20th
January, 2020
|
(40)
Chakradhar Sahu and his wife Kalyani
Sahu, Ward Member of Bangiriposhi Block under Mayurbahnj district
M- 9937893527
|
Case
of Physical attack, hackling
and humiliation by Contractors
engaged by Sarapanch and Panchayat
Executive Officer of Nafri Gram Panchayat
|
Apprehending huge
corruption and irregularities
in development work, Chakradhar
Sahu and his wife Kalyani Sahu, Naib
Sarapanch had filed few RTI
Applications to the Gram
Panchayat seeking information about copy of Panchayat resolution, details of
expenses for repair
of primary schools etc. On 20.1.20, while oth of them
had gone to Panchayat to attend
the meeting of
the GP, the contractors, anti-socials engaged
by Sarapancah hackled them. Then on their return to their
village, few contractors attacked them, manhandled Kalyani Sahu and
threatened to withdraw RTI Applications. On the same day, Kalyani Sahu filed
an FIR in Bangiriposhi police station. But
the police registered the case
on 27.1.20 ( Case No. 10/20)
|
|
17.2.20
|
( 41) Amitav
Chand , Mahakalapada Block of
Kendrapara district
M- 9040144332
|
Life
threats by Biren Basu, Assistant
Executive Engineer, R& B, Kendrapara
|
Sri Amitav Chand had filed RTI
in the office of Executive Engineer, R& B, Kendrapara seeking
information about (a)
construction of Chandiapali Bridge, (b) Daspada-Kharnasi Raod, ( c)
Anguloi-Orta Raod under Mahakalapada
block. On 17.2.20, Biren Basu, Assistant Executive Engineer threatened him to withdraw RTI Application, other he would
face fate of Ranjan Das who was murdered
17 days back. Amitav
got disturbed and shocked. On 18.2.20., he filed FIR in Jambu-Marine
Police station against him seeking
legal action. On 22.2.20, the police
registered the case having case no. 17/20. But not yet
taken any action.
|
|
February
, 2020
|
(42) Jayakrustan
Behera, Kamakhyanagar, Dist- Dhenkanal
M- 9777502651
|
Case
of threats of implicating in
false case by Tahasildar,
Kamakhyanagar
|
Jayakristan Behera, age 59 is quite active in RTI
activism since last 10 years. He has
brought to limelight a
number of corruption issued
by using RTI Act like illegal
appointment of lecturers in Kamakhya Nagar College, corruption and
misappropriation of fund in
construction of Biju Bus Stand, Lodging and khemaka market complex, illegal stone quarry, bribe in mutation case of land, loot of fund of Pani panchayat etc. On 13th Feb.20, while he had been to Kamakhyanagar Tahasil to ask for status of his RTI query, Sanjay Rout, Tahasildar
threatened him to face
dire consequence, unless he
leaves RTI work. Sri Behera got astonished and disturbed having
heard and filed an FIR against
Tahasildar in local police station.
|
|
12.3.20
|
( 43) Jitendra
Swain , Astarang Block of Puri
district
M- 8144080348
|
Case
of threats due to expose
of corruption by the Inspector-in-Charge of Astarang Police station , Puri district
|
Jitendra Swain
had filed complaint in Lokayukta , Odisha seeking
investigation into corruption worth 10
crores in planation programme and
distribution of cow to the
beneficiaries. ON 13.3.20., the case
was heard in the Lokayukta and direction was issued for
inquiry into it.
Apprehending trouble, contractors,
Sarapanch and Chairman of Astarang Block belonging
to Biju Janata Dal, Ruling party
in Odisha used police
to restrain Jitendra from
attending the hearing of Lokayukta. On
12.3.20, Dillip Swain, Inspector-in-Charge called him to the police station, abused in
slang language and threatened him to
withdraw the case at the instance of
BJD leaders.
|
|
March
, 2020
|
(44) Kedaranath
Sahu of Boudh district
M- 9937454121
|
FIR alleging defamation filed
by BDO, Kantapada block
|
He along with the villagers had filed RTI as well as complaint
in the office of Collector, Boudh alleging allotment of
two houses to a single woman beneficiaries in two districts i.e., Boudh and Sonepur under Rural
Housing Scheme. Kedranath Sahu
had also written extensively in social media raising
few question about
functioning of BDO , Kantapada
. Alleging loss of his credibility
and social status , BLOCK Development Officer ( BDO) had filed an FIR
in local police station seeking action against Kedar Sahu.
|
Pradip Pradhan
RTI Activist,
State Convener, Odisha
Soochana Adhikar Ahijan
M- 99378-43482
Update- 16.3.20
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