The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on August 25 directed the Union Home Secretary for taking action to trace and ensure justice in the case of a missing Indian Army Jawan since 1965 India Pakistan war.

Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy stated before the NHRC that Ananda Patri, a native of Bhadrak district, while was serving as sepoy in the Bengal Defence Regiment of the Indian Army, went missing during Indo-Pakistan War of 1965.

As per recent media reports, Patri is alive and languishing in  jail in Pakistan. It is averred that his family members have made several requests to various authorities for his release from jail and reunion with family but to no avail, Tripathy alleged.

Earlier in 2021, acting on a petition filed by Tripathy the NHRC vide order dated January 25, 2021, had directed the Ministry of External Affairs to take appropriate action in the matter. However, the Ministry stated in its reply that it was the responsibility of the Ministry of Defence as Patri was working in the Indian Army.

Waiting two years and getting no response from any authorities, Tripathy again filed a case in the NHRC seeking intervention to ensure justice to Patri and his family. He categorically mentioned that the Government must ensure his release from the Pakistan jail and if  dead he must be given martyr status. 

The petitioner also pointed out the family of Jawan Patri has not yet received a single penny as per Army Rules as he has been declared missing.

The NHRC directed the Home Secretary to resolve the issue by  associating the complainant, and the family members of Patri and to inform them of the action taken in the matter.