Exploitation of class IV Odisha girl: OHRC seeks SP’s report in 15 days

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Aug 28:

Taking serious note of alleged police inaction in the matter of the headmaster of Niliguda Sevashram school under Kotagad block in Kandhamal district forcing a class IV girl student of the school to do household chores as well as subjecting her to sexual exploitation,the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has ordered the Kandhamal SP to conduct a probe in the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

Commission chairman Justice B K Mishra issued the directions while admitting a petition filed by the victim’s father Laxmidhar Mallick here Wednesday. Apart from ordering the SP to conduct a probe into the matter,the commission also directed the district collector to take steps for the proper education and rehabilitation of the victim with the assistance of the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA).

The victim’s father had alleged in his petition that the headmaster of the Sevashram used to make his 12-year old daughter to do household chores. He had further alleged that on January 6, 2014 the headmaster had attempted to sexually assault his daughter.

The minor girl had not revealed the incident to anyone out of shame and fear, he stated. However, she revealed the incident to a block level officer when he visited the school for inspection a week after the attempt. But no action was taken.

The petitioner said his daughter revealed to him the incident while he was on a visit to meet her at the hostel.

After hearing about the abominable act by the headmaster, Mallick lodged an FIR at the Kotagad police station. As no action was taken by the police authorities, he complained before the SP but to no avail, the petitioner claimed.

Frustrated at stonewalling by the police at all levels, he was forced to knock on the doors of the Commission, the petition stated