Taking a serious note of non-arrest of culprits in the Kunduli gangrape case and the worsening health condition of the victim, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served a notice to the State DGP and asked its Rapid Action Cell to collect facts telephonically from the State Government within three days and place a report for further direction.
Acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC took this move.
Tripathy, in his petition, apprised the NHRC that the gang rape victim was even threatened of dire consequences by a lady cop at the hospital. He said Press conference held by the SC and ST wing of the ruling party and major opposition parties also doubt the role of security personnel in the heinous crime. Even the DGP stated that the perpetrators of crime are not personnel of the State police nor Maoists. The victim’s statement and the assessment of situation by various persons put serious doubt over the role of security personnel. The CB-CID investigating into the case has failed to arrest the culprits and the victim has not been provided with proper medical care, psycho-social counseling. She has not been compensated.
Alleging that negligence and failure of the Government authorities pose serious question of human rights, Tripathy requested the NHRC to investigate the case independently and direct the DGP, the Secretary of the Union Homey Ministry and Secretary of the State Women and Child Development, Social Justice and Empowerment to act against the errant officials and culprits and pay compensation of Rs 50 lakh to the victim.
The investigation wing of the NHRC would place the facts of the case by Wednesday, informed Tripathy.