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.