Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the minor boy who died after falling into an open drain in Cuttack city.
The NHRC issued the order to the chief secretary after hearing a petition filed by a human rights activist on the incident that took place on January 15. The chief secretary has been asked to compliance of the order within six weeks.
As per the case, nine-year-old student Joseph Sahani, a Class III student of Modern Public School, was flying kite on the road in front of his house near Sai Apartment in Bidanasi of the city when he fell into the open drain and drowned.
The incident had led to a hue and cry and the locals had gheraoed Cuttack mayor and commissioner of Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) during their visit to the area demanding compensation for Joseph’s family.
Later, the rights activist had filed the petition in NHRC alleging that Joseph had died due to the negligence of the CMC as the drain was left open at several points after the construction work. On January 18, the Commission had directed the district collector and CMC commissioner to submit their action taken report (ATR).
