The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary to show cause why Rs 4 lakh would not be paid to a girl student of a school in Malkangiri district who was raped by a teacher.
The complainant Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain had alleged that on March 29, 2015, the Class-VII girl student of the Kasturba Gandhi Girls’ School at Pakanmala in Malkangiri district was raped by her teacher Prashant Kumar Maharana. The complainant has requested for intervention of the commission in the matter. In response to the Commission’s directions, a report was received from the Malkangiri Superintendent of Police. It was reported that a case under Sections 376(2)(f), 506 of IPC and Section 6 of POCSO Act was registered in the matter. Maharana was arrested and forwarded to court.
The District Welfare Officer further reported that accused Maharana was disengaged from work and disciplinary proceedings has been initiated against the Head Sevak: Parkanmala Ashram School Headmaster for his carelessness, gross negligence and lack of supervision.
The Commission observed a teacher in a school is expected to maintain high level of integrity and high moral standards. The entire profession has been shamed by act of the school teacher. The Right to Dignity and Right to Health of the girl child have been violated.
legal and disciplinary action against the accused teacher and the Headmaster makes this an established case of violation of human rights.