NHRC calls for report on rape of girl by armyman

Mumbai: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has come forward to take up the case of a 15-year-old girl from Latur district, who was allegedly raped by an army personal on the pretext of marriage. While taking suo-motu cognisance of a media report, the NHRC has issued a notice to the state chief secretary, the director general of police, the collector as well as the district magistrate of Latur and called a factual report within four weeks.

Even the Maharashtra State Women’s Commission swung into action on Tuesday and issued a notice to the Latur police superintendent. The notice stated that police should see the facts of the case and then submit a report. This notice was also sparked by the media reports of the case.

According to NHRC officers, they came across an article in the newspaper, which stated that a 15-year-old girl has been expelled from a school in Latur on the ground that the reputation of the institution would be tarnished as she had approached the cops to file a complaint against an army personnel for raping her on the pretext of marriage. The news article also stated that local police harassed the victim and her family, demanding '50,000 to get the FIR registered in the case. Hence the family approached the Police Superintendent, who then directed the local police to register an FIR.

The Commission observed that, “Going by the contents of the media reports, the attitude of the local police authorities and the school administration appears to be highly sadistic and unethical.” By way of its proceedings while considering such complaints and during its other activities, the NHRC has strongly expressed that victims of sexual assault are to be dealt with utmost care in a sensitive manner, with an approach to help them overcome the trauma. “The concerned police officer has acted in a heartless manner. The school authorities, instead of taking steps to counsel and support the victim, have decided to expel her from the school in the name of the reputation of the institution. This is a case of grave violation of human rights of the victim,” it observed.