Kirpasindhu Sahu

On 26 January 2015 Krupasindhu Sahu went missing on his way to the market in Nachhigan village. His body was later found in a nearby riverbed. The 40 year old was a farmer and Right to Information (RTI) activist.

Sahu had recently filed an RTI application regarding utilisation of funds under BGREI (Bringing Green Revolution to Eastern India) which involved line sowing of rice paddy, fertiliser and seeds for development of agriculture. This application uncovered corruption and irregularities in the distribution of the fund and implicated several influential local figures. Sahu reported that he had received threatening phone calls after submitting the application.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the murder while another remains at large. HRD Alert India, a human rights group, reports that the investigation may have been compromised by powerful figures with ties to the corruption.

Since the RTI act was adopted in 2005 there have been over 45 activists murdered for their work. Applications made under the act do not conceal the name of the applicant which can often put their lives in danger.


If you would like to provide a personal recollection, please email us at: HRDMemorial@frontlinedefenders.org

Region:Asia-Pacific

Country:India

Department/Province/State:Odisha

Sex1:Male

Age:40

Date of Killing:26/01/2015

Previous Threats:Yes

Type of Work:Farmer

Organisation:RTI Activist

Sector or Type of Rights the HRD Worked On:Civil and Political Rights, ESC Rights

Sector Detail:Abuse of power/corruption, Environmental Rights, Land Rights

More information:Front Line Defenders

1This database records an individual's chosen gender identity. If they do not self-identify as male or female they can use the option of recording other/neither or use the term NBGI (non binary gender identity).