Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Attack on RTI Activists in Odisha updated 23.9.20

 

“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, Bhubaneswar seeking information relating to administration, maintenance of Seve Puja of the deity and accounts of Sri Satyabadi Gopinath Jew Temple. Finding incomplete information, he filed a complaint to State Chief Information Commissioner 0n 23. 4. 07. The case was heard several times by Mr. Jagadanand and Mr. D. N. Padhi, Orissa Information Commissioners. On 15.2.2008 and 3.7.08, during hearing Nrusingha Mohapatra said that he had not got the complete information in spite of depositing the fees for information. Immediately , Mr. Padhi misbehaved  him  saying  is it vegetable market ? Are you expecting full bag of vegetables from shopkeeper paying  just minimum Rs 10.00”. Mr. Padhi also  disposed the case without  ensuring complete information.

 

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.

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.

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 Nayak

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) Abhimanyu 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.

April, 2020

(45) Manoranjan Jena, Vill- Palliraghunath Pur,  Nahanga Gram Panchayat, Derabisi block, PS-Nikirei, Dist-Kendrapara

M- 9777472990

Mercilessly  beaten up  by  goons of  Ruling party on 6.4.20

After  declaration of  lockdown ,  in view  outbreak of  COVID 19 in Odisha, Sri  Manoranjan Jena, RTI Activist   was  involved in mass  sensitization programme  being associated with administration  for  educating  the  people  about  negative  impact  of  Corona virus  on human life. He  along  with his  friends  were  sensitizing  the  people  about  the  packages  declared  by Chief Minister  and their entitlements under various schemes.  During  his campaign, he came across  adulteration of  rice ( Mixing  sand and stone  with rice) by some people politically associated with   Ruling party   and supplying  this adulterated rice  for  distribution to the  people under PDS. He  along  with the  villagers  of Nahanga Gram Panchayat   made  a complaint  to  the  district administration  following  which  the  Assistant Civil Supply Officer  of Derabisi block had visited  the  Gram Panchayat  on 6.4.20  at 5 pm for  inquiry  into our  complaint.  While  inquiry  was  going  at Ration shop  of the dealer y the ASCO , a gang of  anti-socials led by Sudhansu Jena  gheraoed    Manoranjan Jena  and mercilessly beaten up  using slang language in the  presence  of ASCO and other Govt. staff.   He lost  sense  and his head  was bleeding. The  villagers  immediately   carried him to   Indipur  Health Centre. In the same day, at 8.30 PM, he filed an FIR in Nikerai police station.  The police registered  the FIR bearing Case No. 38/20. But  the police neither conducted any inquiry nor took any steps  to arrest  the culprits. On 19.4.20., a complaint case has been filed in NHRC, New Delhi  seeking an inquiry into it. It is pending.

April , 2020

(46) Sri Bhuban Chand Hati, RTI Activist, GP-Biruda, PS-Nayagarh, Dist-Nayagarh, Odisha

M- 9778142743

Mercilessly beaten up  by goons of local sarapanch in his house.

On  7.4.20, while Sri Bhuban Chand Hati, RTI Activist was  sitting on his verandah,  a group of anti-socials instigated by Sarapanch of Biruda GP of Nayagarh block assaulted him using slang language, beaten up mercilessly  and took away  his mobile  threatening  him of dire consequence, unless he refrains himself  from  making  any  complaints  of corruption and filling RTI against Sarapanch. Bhuban was admitted in hospital and underwent treatment. He filed FIR in Itamati Police station on same day. But the police did not register FIR for three days. After a long persuasion by RTI Activists, the Inspector-in-Charge, Itamati police station finally   registered the FIR and handed over the copy on 11.4.20.   But  the police did not  conduct  any inquiry and rather provided protection to all criminals. As  the  criminals  are scot free  in the Gram Panchayat,   they  are  threatening  more  to Bhuban  and terrorizing  his  family.  He has also received threats call from these criminals. A complaint case dt. 20.4.20 has  been  filed  in NHRC, New Delhi seeking an inquiry into the matter.

14.7.15

(47) Pabitra Bhoi, Dalit RTI Activist

Niali Block of Cuttack District

RTI Activist was threatened to withdraw RTI Application or face dire consequence by hooligans backed by corrupt officials in Niali Block of Cuttack district, Odisha

 Pabitra Bhoi,  RTI Activist  of Niali Block has been threatened of dire consequence by the politically influential people and hooligans and asked to withdraw his RTI Application. Sri Pabitra Bhoi, a Dalit boy had submitted RTI Application dated 14.7.15  to the PIO, office of  Anlo Gram Panchayat  of Niali Block of uttack district  seeking information about  details of  houses sanctioned  to  different people  under Indira Awas Yojana, Mo Kudia Yojana.  It is needless to mention here that there is huge corruption and irregularities noticed in allotment of houses under these schemes in each Gram Panchayat of Niali Block. The political people of Ruling party having pucca building have taken money for houses under these schemes by using their political influence. It is big scam in Niali Block.

 

Sri Umesh Ch. Behera, PIO  of Anlo Panchayat  informed  about RTI Application  and RTI Applicant  immediately   to the people  who have taken IAY house  illegally.     On 19.7.15,  a group of  people  Sri Bishwanath Behera, Jairam Behera and many others reached  his house  at 6 PM evening and chided him  referring  his caste “Kandara” and using slang language. On return from his house, they threatened him  to withdraw RTI Application  otherwise  prepared to face consequence. These people are known dreaded criminals  in that area.

 

Now, Pabitra  has  filed  complaint to  Niali Police Station and SP,  Cuttack  on 20.7.15  to  take  action against these people and provide him protection. As reported by Pabitra,  SP, Cuttack took it very casually   and advised  him to meet Collector. However, Pabitra argued with him that this is the responsibility of the SP to enquire into the matter   not the Collector and returned  from SP office. Pabitra apprehended that at any time he may face attack from these people, as he is determined not to withdraw RTI Application.  Pabitra may be contacted in his mobile 8598087311.

 

7th July, 2019

( 48) Sasee Bhoosan Behera,   Sishu Bhawan Lane, Mining Road, Keonjhar Dist M- 9853970850

Harassment to a RTI Activist by the NGOs by utilizing Police for revealing huge corruption made by them in implementation of  WADI Project in Keonjhar Dist. assisted by NABARD.

 

Sasee Bhusan Behera, RTI Activist was arrested by Keonjhar Town Police   on 7th July-2019 on the basis of a false FIR lodged  by  Secretary, WOSCA (NGO), Keonjhar on the allegation of demanding money from her. As huge misappropriation of Govt. money by WOSCA, S.G. Foundation & Shiristi (NGOs)  had been revealed by Sashee Bhoosan Behera  through RTI Act-2005 which was funded by NABARD to those NGOs for plantation of fruit bearing trees for benefit of advasi & tribal people of this dist. against which he had submitted petitions to        the higher authorities of NABARD & other concerned Dept.s to take action against those NGOs            & officials of NABARD involved in such irregularities. As such apprehending action against them,       Secretary, WOSCA along with other officials of the above NGOs & NABARD tried their level best to put him into trouble & to take revenge upon him. Secretary, WOSCA contacted him & came to his house with Bapi Bhatachharya, Secretary, S.G. Foundation offered some money to suppress it. When he did not  agree with their proposal then they made a plan alliance with  local Police to  harass him.  Then, secretary, WOSCA  filed a fake & false FIR against him where she alleged that  he had demanded 2 lakhs from her to suppress the misdeed made by them in implementing WADI project funded by NABARD where misappropriation of cores of rupees by them has been proved . Then, Bapi Bhatachharya, Secretary, S.G. Foundation & other workers of those organizations along with another contractor against whom he  had filed complaints to the Vigilance Dept. to enquiry & take action for his illegal procurement of different minor minerals earlier  became the witnesses of it & police intentionally framed a case against Sashee Bhoosan  being  gained over by them & arrested him  U/s 384, 385 & 387 of IPC.  He got released on bail on 09.08.2019 i.e. after 33 days.

9th May, 2018

(49) Pradeep Sahu, Angul   M-9937439848

 

 

  A case of being mercilessly beaten up, arrested  and put behind bar in Angul district,Odisha

 

Pradeep Kumar Sahu, Recipient of  best volunteer award from Chief Minister, National Youth Awardee and  renowned RTI Activist  was  manhandled , then beaten up mercilessly  by  the forest officials of  DFO Office, Angul  on his visit  to the said office  to file RTI Application on 9.5.18. Later he was arrested by the police on FIR lodged by officials in connivance with police, but his  first FIR was ignored  by the Inspector-in-Charge, Angul police station. On 11.6.18, Sri Pradeep Sahu has filed two petitions to Odisha Human Rights Commission and Odisha Information Commission seeking justice.

Details of incident leading to attack and arrest of RTI Activist

 

·         On 9.5.18, Pradeep along with his Activist-friend Jitendra Samal  had gone to the office of Divisional Forest Officer, Angul  to submit RTI Application   and met Basudev Nayak, ACF  and discussed  with him about purpose of their visit. Time was around 9.15 AM. During discussion with ACF, they asked for information of other RTI Applications submitted earlier. It is to be mentioned here that  since huge corruption, irregularities  and misappropriation of  crores of rupees  sanctioned for plantation and forest development project is going on , Pradeep and local people  are using RTI to expose it  and they have also filed  a number of complaints to Director, Vigilance, PCCF, Odisha  for inquiry.  However,  having seen another RTI Application on another corruption issue,   Sri Nayak, ACF  got irritated and started rebuking them  using slang language ( Haireshala tume kuade asichha ………………).  Then he immediately shouted and called his staff to teach them lession. Immediately few staff of DFO office reached in the spot , gheraoed and started beating them black and white. They kicked like anything   and strangulated them.  Though they tried to retaliate them, they  could not succeed.    It continued for two hours. At last  the police reached and rescued them.

·         After reaching in police station, they filed FIR in Angul Police station.  The Inspector-in-Charge received their complaint but did not register the case. But they were held up by the police in Police station.   

·         Just after few minutes of our FIR being filed, Sri Basudev Nayak along with few staff reached  in the police station and  filed  counter FIR against Pradeep  leveling unnecessary  false charges  against them. He alleged that they put fist blow to his neck and Jitendra held his hands and threatened to murder him. Astonishingly, the IIC, Angul immediately registered their FIR and within hours produced them before the court of SDJM, Angul   who refused to grant bail and forwarded them to jail. They got released on bail after 20 days of custody.

 

·         Pradeep is social Activist. Since last few years, he along with his friends have been using RTI  to expose corruption and give justice to the poor people in Angul district.   He has been awarded Prakruti Mitra award by district administration for his outstanding work in  the field of protection of forest, While working with forest protecting groups, he  has come across  huge corruption and irregularities  in forest development project  and plantation.  To fight out corruption, he has been using RTI in different offices including DFO office. 

·         Being disturbed over his repeated expose about corruption and subsequent filling of plethora of complaints demanding inquiry, the staff of DFO  office and more particularly ACF have got vindictive and conspired to attack him several times. 9.5.18 was an faithful day for him to execute his conspiracy    and to take revenge against Pradeep and his friend Jitendra. 

·         Pradeep has filed complaint to OHRC and Odisha Information Commission seeking inquiry and quick action against the culprits.

 

 

25.5.18

(50) Suresh Lenka of Kushur Gram Panchayat of Balikuda block  

RTI Activist was brutally attacked in mid-night by a gang of BJD goons

 

As an RTI Activist, Suresh has  passion to file RTI to different offices to fight out corruption in Govt. works.  While obtaining information from Kushur Gram Panchayat, He came to know that around Rs. 1 lakh has been misappropriated  by Sarapanch and Panchayat Executive officer  without   any sanction of the project  under MGNREGA.  Similarly, he also noticed huge irregularities in distribution of houses under Biju Pucca Yojana  and IAY.  He also exposed how  lakhs of rupees  has been misappropriated in the name of IAY house without building and beneficiary. Armed with the information,  he along with fellow-villagers filed complaint to BDO, Balikuda  block  and also Block Grievance Cell for  investigation into  the matter. After repeated allegations, District Panchayat Officer was entrusted to   conduct inquiry  about it.

 

 On 25.5.18., having heard about order of inquiry,  the vested  groups mainly local touts of Biju Janata Dal Bhagu Biswal, Satyanand Behera, Kishor Hati, Rabi swain  and others forcibly  entered  into house of  Suresh Lenka   at 10 PM night,   beaten him up black and white and threatened  him not to pursue  the matter and refrain from  using RTI.

 

On the next day, Suresh lenka filed FIR in local police station , Balikuda. The police without registering the case tried  to pressurise  Suresh  for  compromise under political  influence.  As Suresh and his friends remained stubborn and demanded for registration of FIR,  the police on 28.5.18  has registered  the case  but yet to start investigation. As  the local police stations have been highly politicised  and  functioning at behest of BJD leaders,  Suresh  has doubt  to get any justice  from  the police. 

19.5.20

(51) Sarbeswar Behura, RTI Activist,  Dharmashala block of Jajpur district

A case of False Case being implicated against RTI Activist

n view of large scale-corruption and irregularities in distribution of food grains  to the beneficiaries, denial of  ration to some families and collection of higher price per litre of kerosene  from the Ration Card holders in  Dharmashala Block, Sarbeswar Behura  took up this issue and made a thorough survey to identify  the beneficiaries who have been denied ration under NFSA. On 6.4.20., he filed a PIL case No. WPC 11667/20  in Odisha High Court drawing attention of the  court about  denial of ration to eligible households,  rampant  Fake Ration Card  in Dharmashala block, loot of rice by Dealers  and Govt. officials  and prayed  for seeking  direction for the inquiry into it and supply of ration to all bonafide ration card holders  under PDS. Acting on the Writ petition, the hon’ble High Court issued  notice  to  State Govt. , Collector, Jajpur  and DO, Dharmashala  to  make their respective submissions . Being aggrieved  by  this case , the dealers  backed by BJD leaders  hatched conspiracy  and filed a false FIR dt. 19.5.20 in  Dharmashala Police station in order to harass Sarbeswar.   On 26.5.20, sarbeswar  Behura  along with   a team of  Social  Activists  submitted a memorandum  to BDO, Dharmashala  seeking  an inquiry into  higher  price demanded by  Dealers   per litre of kerosene  and non-distribution of Dal. (M- 9437459949).

1.6.20

(52) Sanjay Sahu, Banki, Cuttack district

A case of life threats and attack on RTI Activist

On 1.6.20, Sanjay Sahu, RTI Activist along with few  Labourers   was  holding  protest Dharana in front  of lock office, Banki  in protest against  rampant use of machine in NREGA work which deprives  hundreds of people from getting employment  in the village during COVID Lockdown. They  organized  this protest  in unique way by   beating  Thali  and enchanting slogans  before Block office by  demanding  for restriction of  rampant use  of  machine  in NREGA work, putting display board at worksite,  providing immediate work to the laourers  and maintaining transparency  in implementation of NREGS work etc. They submitted  a memorandum to  BDO, Banki and requested him to ensure  employment  to the poor laourers, withdraw machines from worksite and take action against  the officers involved  in misappropriation of fund y making forged Muster Roll. Day after,  around 20 hooligans and anti-socials of BJD party  forcibly entered  into sanjay’s house , abused him with slang language  and threatened him  of dire consequence , if he  continues  to oppose  corruption in NREGA work.  They also thrashed  him and created ruckus  in front of his  home  for few hours  to terrorise  the family. On 3.6.20. Sanjay  Sahu  filed an FIR  in Baideswar police station under Banki block  demanding  inquiry  and  quick action against  the  people  involved  in attacking him. But  the police is yet  to take  any action against them. M- 9337343390

6th May 20

(53) Dusmant Acharya , Raj Kanika Block of Kendrapara district

 

Dusmant Acharya is a young  RTI Activist  and running a web channel “ Janata Zindabad”. He regularly  covered  news  about  corruption, irregularities  in implementation of development programme at  village level and  fought  to ensure  entitlement  of the  poor  under food security and social security programme. On 3.5.20., during COVID Lockdown, the  villagers  of Deulatara Gram Panchayat  had  come  to block office of Rajkanika  to file  complaint  about  huge irregularities  in COVID assistance like distribution of rice  and kerosene  by dealer Purusottam Das,   excess  price Rs. 30.00 demanded by dealer against  Got. fixed price Rs.15.00, less quantity of rice  given to beneficiaries  against  their fixed entitlements etc.   Dusmant carried this news and also visited to their village to collect information from the villagers about PDS irregularities. This news was put in his web media “ Janata Zindabad” which exposed  details of  PDS loot  engineered  by local dealer Purusottam Das. On 6.5.20., when Dusmant  was on his  way  to return to his  village at 8 am,  the Dealer  and his  hired  goons  stopped  him at Namatara , hackled him, took away  his camera  and eaten up mercilessly. They kidnapped him to their village and locked him. However , after  complaint  filed  by the villagers, the police rescued  him. He filed FIR in Rajkanika Police station at 1.30 pm on same day.  Though one month passed,  the police has not taken  any action  on his FIR ( Registration No. 96 /6.5.2020). M- 9439083515

 

(54) Sapan Swain, RTI Activist, Gop, Puri district

A case of Merciless Attack on RTI Activist

Sapan Swain , RTI Activist  of Gop block of Puri district  uses  to file RTI Applications  to different  offices  to expose corruption and irregularities  in Govt. programme. He had filed RTI Application  to the PIO, office  of BDO, Gop block  about  distribution of PDS  in Gadabhingura GP  and  also  filed  complaint  in the  block office  about  huge  irregularities  in distribution of  rice and kerosene. On 13.5.20, Sapan  had gone  to  Gram Panchayat  office  to appear  before inquiry  conducted  by Marketing Inspector  about his  complaint. On his return from Gram Panchayat office, Ranjit Nayak, husband of Sarapanch  and  his associates  halted  Sapan  and abused him  with slang language. Then  they  started  beating  him with  lathi and  threatened  him to withdraw  complaint  filed against  them.   Having heard this incident, the family members reached  on the spot and rescued  him.  The family members found his head bleeding and his leg  broken .  He was  immediately  carried  to  Balisahi PS  and  then Puri Sadar  Hospital  for  treatment.  On 14.5.20 at 9.30 pm  , Khokan Swain , his brother  filed  an FIR  in Puri Sadar Police station for  inquiry and  legal action against  the accused. Though  20 days  passed, the  police  has not  taken  any steps  except  registering  the case ( FIR No. 123/20). M- 7978384277.

Pradip Pradhan

RTI Activist,

State  Convener, Odisha Soochana Adhikar Ahijan

M- 99378-43482

Updated- 23.9.20  

 

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