Baby Jena

RTI Activist

Odisha

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on March 30 regarding the physical attack on Mr. Baby Jena, R/O Village Hantuka, PS Chandanpur, District, Odisha.

Mr. Jena is an active member of the Puri District Committee of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhijan (OSAA). OSAA is a state-level network of civil society groups and Right to Information (RTI) groups who are spearheading the campaign for effective implementation of the Right to Information Act in the state.

Mr. Jena filed a complaint under RTI seeking information about the total number of farmers registered in his block and the amount of loan sanctioned to each farmer since July 2017. The president and secretary of the District Cooperative Society did not provide the information sought under the RTI Act. After being denied information, he approached the Appellate Authority and finally filed a case at the State Information Commission at Bhubaneswar. The District Collector levied a fine on the president and secretary of the District Cooperative Society who did not provide information.

Meanwhile, the president and secretary of the society tried to bribe Mr. Jena and his other friend which they refused. Later, Mr. Jena and his friend were attacked by goons. Mr. Baby made a complaint at Chandanpur Police Station.

Since there was no action taken on the complaint, he went on a dharna before the police station. On the same day, the police arrested Mr. Jena’s attackers.

Earlier, the president and secretary of the society, taking the help of the village leaders (mukhias), ostracised Mr. Baby and his family members. This issue was brought before the District Collector and the Superintendent of Police, but no action has been taken.