The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned the Director General of Police (DGP) of stern action if the police administration fails to submit a consolidated action-taken report (ATR) on the rape and molestation cases by police personnel in the State during the period from October 31, 2012 to October 30, 2013.
“Issue reminder to the DGP, Odisha, to submit a consolidated report on the subject in terms of the directions given by the commission in its proceedings of December 23, 2013 and communicated to him through commission’s notice dated December 24, 2013. Respond within four weeks positively, failing which the commission may be constrained to issue coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993,” the commission said in its direction. Even though the direction was issued on April 15 this year, the police administration has not furnished any report to the commission.
Human rights activist Subash Mohapatra, in a petition, had alleged that during the period 2009-2013, 44 incidents of rape and molestation by policemen had taken place in Odisha. In 41 cases, the accused had been arrested; but none had been arrested so far in the three other cases. In its proceedings of December 23, 2013, the commission had observed that the DGP was required to submit the report on the cases of rape and molestation by policemen occurring all over the State.
However, the commission took cognizance the complaint and directed the DGP to furnish report on the cases of rape and molestation involving policemen in Odisha, which occurred during the period of one year preceding 30 August 2013. Hence, the DGP was directed to send details of all cases which occurred during the period of one year starting from 31 August 2012. However, no response was given by the police administration to the commission.