The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has been informed that Rs 7 lakh was paid to the family of a victim, who was allegedly killed in the custody of Odisha Forest Department officials in Cuttack district.
The NHRC had directed to pay the compensation, acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
The petitioner alleged that the victim Dhaneswar Behera (59) was picked up by Forest Department officials on charges of poaching a tusker and removing its tusks, Later, Behera was found dead in the custody of the officials.
Tripathy requested the NHRC for fair investigation of the case, legal action against the accused officials and heavy compensation to the family members of the deceased with a job.
The commission directed the Odisha Government to pay a compensation of Rs 7 lakh to the family of the deceased within six weeks and submit the compliance report.
In response, the Superintendent of Police, HRPC, Odisha in a letter submitted the compliance report along with the e-payment advice made to the next of kin (NOK) of the deceased.