Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has recently directed its investigating wing to probe the alleged murder of RTI activist Ranjan Kumar Das last year.
The commission, while hearing a plea filed by the state body of RTI activists, directed the ADG-cum-director, investigation wing of OHRC, to personally enquire into the suspicious death of Das. The ADG has been directed to submit its report within six weeks of the issuance of the order.
Earlier, Kendrapara district Superintendent of Police, in its report submitted before the OHRC, claimed that the deceased Das had died in a road mishap 30 January, 2020. However, the complainants objected to the conclusion by the SP. They also reportedly presented various evidences suggesting murder of the activist by unknown miscreants. Das had also allegedly received a number of threats for exposing corruption in the block and other nearby areas.
Notably, the body of Das was found near Beruan village in Marshaghai of Kendrapara district February 1, 2020. Das had filed several RTI applications to unearth rampant corruption in implementation of various government schemes like MGNREGA in his locality.