The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the State Director General of Police over a petition filed by rights activist Srikumar Mahanta and directed him to take appropriate action against the former Tarbha police station IIC Srikanta Kumar Tripathy within eight weeks.
Tripathy , now posted as Sonepur PS IIC intentionally harassed and tried to book Mahanta in a false case.
Earlier, Mahanta had filed a story in national daily The Pioneer regarding flouting of noise pollution norms in an orchestra programme organised by Prabin Agarwal which continued beyond 11 am in presence of IIC Tripathy.
Mahanta in the article pointed out that while the police seize musical instruments if they are played after 10 pm during wedding processions, they did not take any action against Agarwal and others even though they violated the Rule 5 under Rule 5 of the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000.
Following publication of the news, IIC Tripathy became vindictive and tried to frame Mahanta in a false case. Later, Mahanta moved the NHRC seeking action against the IIC.