An inmate under the age of 18 years allegedly committed suicide at Balika Niketan by hanging herself from a noose tied to the bathroom door handle late on Wednesday night. Taking serious note on this, the State Minister of Women and Child Development, Rekha Arya who also visited the campus on Thursday gave orders for a magisterial inquiry in the case.
It is important to mention that the inmate was a native of Haridwar who was accused of killing her mother. After the orders of the court, she was first sent to Nari Niketan where she remained for about five months. However, after a recent hearing, she was found to be 16 years old and was sent to Balika Niketan. Officials in the premises stated that she was in a state of depression and wanted to go back to Nari Niketan as she made some friends there.
Addressing the media during her visit to Balika Niketan, Arya said, “I have given orders for a magisterial inquiry and the team has been given orders to submit its report within three days. We are yet to receive the post mortem report which can explain the exact cause of death.”
Dismissing the rumours of murder or questionable behaviour of the staff against the inmates she said, “For us, it is strange to think of a suicide done by hanging from a door handle. But we cannot jump to the conclusion of murder or believe rumours of staff beating the inmates. The real facts will be highlighted soon after the inquiry.”
Adding further in this, the chairperson of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) Usha Negi said, “I inspected the campus on Wednesday night after the incident took place. The girl was alive when she was taken to the hospital. However, earlier the ambulance took half an hour to reach the Balika Niketan campus. The commission will issue direction for an ambulance and a driver to be assigned for this campus 24 x 7.”