Man’s Death In Open Drain: NHRC Directs Odisha Govt To Pay Rs 7 Lakh Compensation

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to pay a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to family of a rickshaw puller who died after falling into an open drain in Puri last year.

The Commission issued the direction after hearing a petition filed by one Jayant Kumar Das on behalf of the victim’s family.

As per the petition, the rickshaw puller, identified as Nidhi Bhoi, fell into the drain whose covering of cement slab was missing on the Grand Road near Market Square in the town on May 18 last year. Bhoi, who was critically injured in the incident, later died in the hospital.

The petitioner alleged that the cover the drain was not put in place for negligent attitude of the local administration. Since Bhoi died due to negligence of the administration, his family should be compensated adequately, he said in the petition to the NHRC.

The Commission had gone through the replies filed by different authorities including Puri Municipality in the case and issued notice to the government to explain why the monetary compensation should not be paid to the victim’s family.

The NHRC, in its latest notice, has asked chief secretary to submit a compliance report along with the proof of payment of compensation to the victim’s family within eight weeks.