RTI activist ostracised for raising voice against corruption

Puri: Raising voice against corruption often costs dear. In one such glaring example, one RTI activist was allegedly thrashed and ostracised after he tried to expose rampant corruption in Hantuka cooperative society under Chandanpur Tehsil of Puri district.

As per reports, RTI activist Boby Jena had sought some important details by filing a RTI plea. However, Jena was allegedly thrashed by some people hired by the officials and staff of the cooperative society.

Later, Jena lodged a complaint with the Chandanpur police which then arrested one Abhimanyu Swain in connection with the incident and forwarded him to court.

However, Hantuka village committee imposed a penalty of Rs 10,000 on Jena for raising the corruption issue. When Jena failed to pay the fine, he was ostracised from the village.

"I have been ostracised since March 4. I approached the collector and SP in this regard but I am yet to get justice. I will sit on hunger strike in front of the collector office till I get justice," Jena said.

Meanwhile, the district sub-collector has assured that an investigation into the allegations will be carried out soon.