NHRC asks OHRC for action in Mohanty case

 The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to investigate illegal (financial) activities of suspended Hindol Forest Range Officer Gatikrushna Mohanty. The NHRC transferred the case filed by Angul-based Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain to OHRC under Section 13 (6) of the Human Rights Protection Act 1993 directing it to dispose the case in accordance with the law.

The petitioner alleged that Range Officer Gatikrushna Mohanty has looted lakhs of rupees meant for wildlife protection and ex-gratia for damage and death due to elephants. Meanwhile, the Government conducted a special audit of the financial activities transacted during the tenure of Mohanty.