The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned coercive action against the Government of Odisha on its non-responsive approach over the condition of a mentally retarded woman who gave birth to a child on roadside after being raped.
Petitioner Supreme Court advocate and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy alleged that due to lack of medical care and apathy, the mentally challenged woman was raped and later gave birth to a child on road at Jagatpur, Cuttack.
The victim was deprived of basic human rights due to apathy and negligence of the State officials, he said.
The incident took place on July 26 last year. Tripathy stated that after labour pain the lady was crying for help and the baby was on the heap of dust and cow dung. None of the officials like ASHA and other health officials took care of her during her pregnancy nor did anybody come to her rescue, during her delivery at IB Road, Jagatpur.
Corporator Nirod Chandra Panda called an ambulance after the incident. But that also did not reach. Negligence and failure of the Government authorities in acting over the issue poses a serious question of human rights violation, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to direct the Chief Secretary, Odisha and the district administration of Cuttack to act immediately over the issue and ensure nutrition, healthcare, rehabilitation of the mother and the child till the child attains 18 years of age and recommend other steps to be taken in the interest of justice and protection of human rights.