Cuttack: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report (ATR) from Sambalpur district magistrate within four weeks on a complaint alleging that a 60-year-old social worker died in an accident on NH-55 due to an allegedly unscientifically designed or illegally placed speed breaker and inadequate traffic control.The commission passed the direction on Tuesday (Aug 11) on a complaint filed by Jeypore-based human rights activist and advocate Anup Kumar Patro.The complaint relates to the death of Rajanikanth Nayak, who died following an accident on Nov 19, 2025, at Hospital Square in Rairakhol (Redhakhol) of Sambalpur district. After examining the complaint, the NHRC said the allegations, “prima facie seem to be violations of the human rights of the victim”.The commission, exercising its powers under Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Act. The bench was presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo.The NHRC registry has been directed to issue notice to the district magistrate, Sambalpur, and have the allegations in the complaint inquired into. The commission specifically directed that an ATR be submitted within four weeks for its consideration. The district administration has accordingly been forwarded a copy of the complaint and asked to take appropriate action in accordance with the NHRC’s directions and submit its report within the stipulated period.The complainant alleged that Nayak’s fatal accident was caused by a poorly designed or illegally placed speed breaker on the national highway, coupled with a lack of traffic regulation by the authorities concerned. He claimed that the circumstances leading to the death raised questions over the protection of the deceased’s fundamental right to life.Seeking NHRC’s intervention, Patro urged the authorities to sanction compensation to Nayak’s next of kin, stating that his untimely death had left the family in distress. He also sought directions to the chief secretary of Odisha or the secretary, ministry of road transport and highways, for grant of compensation.The commission, while issuing the order also referred to its statutory responsibility of protecting and promoting human rights and its powers of inquiry under Section 13 of the Act.
