Bhubaneswar: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued fresh notices to the Commissioner of Police Bhubaneswar and Cuttack and Khurda District Collector to submit report on the action taken on the allegation of death of a Korean photo Journalist in Bhubaneswar January 11.
The photojournalist from South Korea allegedly died after falling into an open drain January 11, 2023.
The NHRC issued the direction Wednesday to submit report before September 23 next on the complaint of Human Rights defender.
The Human Rights defender had alleged that such fatal incidents are happening on regular basis on account of negligence on part of officials of municipal corporations and others and hence sought an intervention for strict action to thwart such accidents and for compensation to next of kin of the victim.
The NHRC had earlier June 6 issued reminders to the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and District Magistrate, Khurda as well as Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation for filing detailed reports.
The Commission had received the report from both the Police Commissionerate, Bhubaneswar Cuttack and Khordha district magistrate in April.
In the report, the Deputy Commissioner of Police had mentioned details about the incident but nothing was stated whether any cognizable offence is made out in the matter on account of negligence on the part of the concerned persons, who are responsible for maintaining the drain.
Since no report was received from Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the NHRC issued a fresh reminder to the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and District Magistrate, Khurda as well as Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation to submit the requisite reports clarifying as to who is responsible for the incident.
Pursuant to the same various communications received from them which were mostly internal communications.
However, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation had submitted a report July 19 last wherein it submitted that the drain in question has been constructed and maintained by R&B, Bhubaneswar.
In view of the report from the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the NHRC had issued fresh reminders to the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Odisha as well as the District Magistrate, Khurda to clarify as to what is meant by R&B.
The Commission has called for details of the department to be clarified and an appropriate report to be submitted within four weeks.
It also issued the final reminder to the Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar, Odisha to clarify whether any cognizable offence is made out or not, and what action has been taken on their part in this regard.
The NHRC sought the additional/complete report in the matter latest by September 23 for further consideration by it.
UNI
