Human rights activists on Monday demanded a high-level inquiry into the murder of Krupasindhu Sahu, an RTI activist of Niali block of Cuttack district. The activists also urged the Chief Secretary to provide security to the RTI activists working in the State. After conducting spot inquiry into the murder case, four-member fact-finding team alleged that some powerful political people with the help of local police and the Government officials had plotted the murder of Sahu.
As he had sought information through RTI about huge corruption and misappropriation BGREI Fund sanctioned for development of agriculture in the area, the politicians might have killed Sahu by using a contract killer, said the team members. The team further alleged that the local BJD leaders have misappropriated the whole fund by producing false reports in connivance of an NGO Sanskar which have been entrusted to monitor the programme by the Agriculture Department.
The fact-finding team demanded immediate arrest of prime accused Kartik Pani and other conspirators behind Sahu’s murder. They also demanded Vigilance probe into the huge corruption and irregularities took place in Niali block. legal action should be taken against officials of the Agricultural Department, NGO Sanskar and the influential beneficiaries who have misappropriated of fund by filling false bills.
After returning from deceased’s village, the fact-finding team members, Pradip Pradhan, Manoj Jena, Bijayalaxmi and Srikant Pakal, submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary demanding adequate financial support for survival of the family members and education of Sahu’s children.