The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to close the case of death of OTV reporter Arindam Das in a boat tragedy on September 24 last year while performing his duty as a journalist.
A petition was filed by rights lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, seeking adequate compensation to the kin of the deceased. Tripathy requested the NHRC stating the requirement to formulate guidelines/ SOP for the mediapersons while covering news items so that such kind of painful incident does not recur in future.
He stated that due to negligence by the authorities, the reporter was allowed on the boat and he along with another person became victim of the tragedy in the Mahanadi river near Munduli.
Tripathy also stated that the elephant got stuck in the water as the authorities failed to act to save elephant corridors as per directions of the National Green Tribunal.
Issuing notice, the NHRC had called for a report from the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha and Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
Pursuant thereto a report was received from OSD cum Special Secretary to Government of Odisha, making clear that in accordance with Rule 7 of the Odisha Working Journalist Welfare Fund Rules 2006, r/w Notification No. 10708/IPR dated 26.11.2020 of Information and Public Relation Department, Rs 4 lakh has been sanctioned to provide financial assistance in favour of Sameekshya Behera, wife of Das vide office order No. 10560 dated 25.9.2021.
The NHRC closed the case since adequate compensation has already been paid.