Bhubaneshwar, (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission has directed the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police of Odisha’s Jajpur district to furnish an action taken report (ATR) on the alleged cover-up by local police of brutal murder of a worker in a stone crusher unit.
The complainant Srikant Pakal, a rights activist, alleged that the victim, a 22-year-old labourer, was brutally beaten with an iron rod on April 27, 2025 by his employer along with his associates of Padmabati Crusher Unit, under Rahadpur Gram Panchayat of Dharmashala Block in Odisha’s Jajpur district. The labourer later succumbed to injuries after battling for life for four days.
Despite the gruesome assault resulting in the tragic death of the hapless victim, the police did not register a complaint as the assailants were backed by influential politicians, the petition filed by Pakal with the NHRC maintained.
The victim’s family was forced to sign blank papers and was threatened of dire consequences if they insist on coercive police action against the accused persons.
“The allegations made in the complaint prima facie seem to be serious violations of the human rights of the victim. The Bench of the National Human Rights Commission, presided by Priyank Kanoongo, Member, has taken cognizance u/s 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter. The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Jajpur with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within 4 weeks for perusal of the Commission”, the top rights panel stated in an order.
