The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking note of a petition of sexual exploitation of as many as 14 students of a Government school by none other than the school headmaster continuously for two years, has issued a notice to the State Government.
The shocking incident came to light in Nayagarh district last month when angry guardians of the victims petitioned the district Collector about the incident. Even as the Collector was informed about it on September 20, 2013, the Government has not yet taken up the issue seriously. However, taking up the petition in the context filed by human rights activist Prabir Kumar Das, the NHRC has issued the notice to the Government asking the School and Mass Education Secretary to file a detailed report on the issue within four weeks.
Das has moved the NHRC stating the facts and urging the commission to direct the Government to pay a damage of Rs 5 lakh to the affected students and take stringent action against the erring teacher.
“Sexual exploitation of young students in a Government school by a teacher amounts to gross violation of the right to life, dignity and education under Articles 21 and 21-A of the Indian Constitution,” Das has said in his petition. Das, in his petition, has also expressed concern due to the Government inaction over the issue.