NHRC issues show-cause notice to Odisha Govt over compensation to mason’s family

Kendrapara, Aug 21 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the Odisha Government, asking why compensation of Rs.7 lakh should not be paid to the next of kin of a deceased mason.

The notice was served today under Section 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The Commission passed the order while acting on a petition filed by Kendrapara-based human rights defender, Sagar Jena.

According to the complaint, a 46-year-old mason drowned after falling into an open drain in the Mahima Nagar area under CRRI police limits in Cuttack on a night in April 2024.
Both the complainant and the Deputy Executive Engineer of Cuttack Municipal Corporation appeared before the NHRC camp court held in Bhubaneswar on July 22.

The only response the Commission received from the Cuttack Municipal Corporation was that all open drains had been closed. However, no compensation was provided to the deceased mason’s family.
Taking note of this, the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary of Odisha to show cause within six weeks as to why Rs.7 lakh compensation should not be paid to the victim’s next of kin.