The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought further reports from the district Collector of Bhadrak over rape of a minor in the CDPO office. Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, in his rejoinder strongly objected the methodology of compromise that always puts criminal justice system rotting in the country.
The petitioner stated that the report submitted by the State authorities confirms that the child was subjected to a gang rape but, an illegal compromise was executed to suppress the incident. Heinous act of gang rape in broad day light in a Government office meant for protection of children on a holiday amounts to worst form of human rights violation, Tripathy contended.
How can there be a compromise deed in such a brutal case, he questioned, alleging that the existence of compromise deed and the absence of medical reports bring a shadow of doubt over the entire proceedings.
Again payment of Rs10,000 to a person who is not at all a victim and arrest of two persons on false complaints also raised serious legal question in the present case, he said.
Tripathy requested the NHRC to consider the submissions and direct the district Collector to send the medical examination report as conducted during the course of investigation and pass orders after considering all the facts and circumstances of the case. Otherwise it will set a very bad precedent, he maintained.
Taking serious note of the comments of the petitioner, the NHRC directed the district Collector, Bhadrak to submit the medical examination report and the statement of the victim within four weeks.
Notably, in 2013 a minor girl of Haramani High School of Bhadaripokhari in Bhadrak district was gang raped in the office of the CDPO on a Sunday that shocked everyone.