The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has summoned Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi and Keonjhar District Magistrate Dr Thirumala Naik and Superintendent of Police Pandit Rajesh Uttamrao on August 18 to New Delhi and directed them to submit requisite reports in connection with a petition alleging that a minor tribal girl student was subjected to sexual assault at a Government-run Sevashram in Keonjhar district by hostel staffers.
The summons notice came after these officers failed to submit reports despite several reminders by the NHRC.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the lackadaisical attitude of the top State and district officials, the NHRC in its order said, “The commission has taken cognisance in these cases and directed to call for a report from the concerned authorities. The report has not been received within the stipulated period despite issuing final reminders. The commission takes a very serious view and directs its Registry to issue summons to the concerned authorities u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 to appear before the commission on 18.8.2017 along with requisite reports in the matter.”
It, however, said the officials would not be required to appear if the reports are received by August 11.
Petitioner Subhash Mohapatra of the Global Human Rights Communications has alleged sexual assault of a 13-year-old tribal girl student residing in the hostel of her primary school at Talbirikala under the Nayakot police station. The commission took cognisance in the matter on October 22, 2013 and asked the district SP for a report within four weeks.
During hearing of the case, the NHRC experienced that minor tribal girls living in the State-run hostels are being subjected to sexual exploitation by school staffs. later, the commission issued notices and asked the concerned authorities for immediate remedial measures. However, the officials failed to comply with the order forcing the commissionr to issue summons.