Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha government to pay Rs 7 lakh as compensation to the next of kin of Dhaneswar Behera, who had allegedly died in the custody of the Forest department in Athagarh division six months back.
Hearing a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the apex human rights panel on Thursday asked the chief secretary to submit the compliance report along with the proof of payment to the commission within six weeks.
On February 5, 59-yer-old Behera, a resident of Khuntakata Satagochhia village within Badamba police limits, was picked up by forest officials while returning from his daughter’s house on charges of poaching a tusker and removing its tusks. His family members alleged that the forest staff had hacked him to death. Six forest officials were arrested and produced in court on May 6. They were suspended with effect from February 8.
Prior to the award of compensation, the NHRC issued show-cause notice to chief secretary in May as to why the compensation of Rs 7 lakh should not be recommended for the negligence on the part of the government employees. “Since six forest officials have been found involved in this heinous crime and they have been placed under suspension, therefore it appears that the human rights of the deceased have been violated by the public servants for which the government is vicariously liable,” the commission had said in its previous order.
A reminder was issued last month. A week later, the department submitted its reply, stating that all reports related to the final cause of death of Behera have not been received and the payment of compensation will be considered after completion of due procedure. The commission, however, was not satisfied with the government’s reply and recommended the chief secretary to pay the amount.
