Sahu was given the bail on a personal bond of Rs 20,000 and two sureties. He was harassed, tortured, jailed and assaulted for daring to take on the district administration on the issue of cattle smuggling.
Tirtha Kumar Sahu, who has been working with Gau Gyan Foundation for the last three years, had filed 180 cases in Orissa High Court against police and civil administration on the issue of cattle smuggling. Thus, he incurred the wrath of the administration.
Rayagada Collector Jagannath Mohanty, Assistant Collector and DSP have been accused of hatching a conspiracy to put Tirtha in trouble. The issue came to light only when the Bharat Raksha Manch brought it to the notice of Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who wrote a strongly-worded letter to CM Naveen Patnaik, appraising him of the situation and demanding strong action.