सव भव तु सिखनः ु nisms for human rights defenders across the country. As part of its strategy, it works with nongovernmental and civil society organisa ons; Na onal and State Commissions including State Human Rights Commissions and other key actors to raise awareness about human rights defenders and challenges being faced by them. 7.18.2 A Focal Point for Human Rights Defenders has been set-up in the Commission to deal with complaints alleging harassment of Human Rights Defenders by or at the instance of public authories. The designated contact person at the Focal Point is Shri Indrajeet Kumar, Deputy Registrar (Law). The Focal Point is accessible to human rights defenders round the clock through: (i) Mobile No. 9999393570, (ii) Fax No. 24651334, and (iii) E-mail: hrd-nhrc@nic.in. The Focal Point ensures that the direc ons of the Commission in every case of alleged harassment of Human Rights Defend- ers are complied with on a priority basis and are also conveyed to the concerned human rights defender. The update of the complaints of alleged harassment of Human Rights Defenders is also posted on the website of the Commission. The Focal Point for Human Rights has engaged in dialogues/discussions with NGOs/ villagers/ HRDs/ State Government officers to understand the status of promo on and protec on of Human Rights at the grassroots level. 7.18.3 During the period, the Commission received 99 complaints concerning alleged harassment of Human Rights Defenders. Three Cases pertaining to HRDs were finally closed with direc on by the Commission during the year 2022-23. Five cases pertaining to the Human Rights Defenders were disposed of with direc on. 7.18.4 Illustra ve Cases 1.) The Commission issues direc ves to State Authority for ensuring safety and security to Human Rights Defenders life and his aged parents, who are living in his na ve place, i.e., Bhadrak district of Odisha by some miscreants and inac on by the state authori es. The Commission took cognizance in the ma er and sought report from the state authori es. The report received on the ma er was considered by the Commission. The Commission took a serious view and opined that in the present ma er the complainant and his family faced the threat, due to which, on the day of re- polling, he and his family could not cast their vote. The Commission also took serious view of the fact that there was a threat to the life and liberty of a person and his safety was put at stake due to the failure of the state machinery and no mely ac on was taken by the police. As per the direc ves of the Commission, the report received from the state authori es was transmi ed to the complainant for his comments. The complainant stated that his old parents are living in his na ve village and have been suffering from untold miseries. He stated that if the Commission did not protect him and his family members, they would be forced to remain under consistent fear and apprehension. According to the complainant, since the failure of the Government was exposed and the culprits were brought to face the 'Rule of Law' by him, the risk to his life were manifold. He requested the Commission to direct the Secretary, Home, the DGP of the State and the District Administra on of Bhadrak to ensure safety and security of his life. The Commission considered the facts and circumstances in the ma er including the complaint, report received and the comments of the complainant on the report. The Commission opined that the threat to the life of a human rights defender and his family due to alleged inac on by the government authori es is a ma er of concern for the Commission. The Commission, therefore, directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Odisha, to convey suitable direc ons to the officer concerned to ensure that effec ve steps were taken in me to ensure safety and security of the complainant and his family members, whenever required. With these direc ons, the case was closed. (Case No: 907/18/18/2022) The Commission received a complaint from an Advocate and Human Rights Defender , alleging a ack, threat to his Chapter 7 - Thematic Areas 75