Odisha rights body seeks report on minor’s gang rape

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) today directed the Secretary ST & SC Development Department, ADG Human Rights Protection Cell (HRPC), to personally inquire into the Koraput minor girl gang rape case and submit their respective reports to the Commission within a week.

“After hearing the learned counsels and the petitioners, who are present, the Commission while taking cognizance of the matter direct the Addl. DG of Police-cum-IG of Police, HRPC, Odisha, Cuttack and the Commissioner-cum-Secretary to Government, ST & SC Development Department to immediately enquire into the matter personally and submit their respective reports within seven days positively,” the OHRC said in its order.

The Commission issued the directive after taking congnizance of a batch of petitions over the incident by five human rights activists.

The OHRC has directed the Superintendent of Sahid Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital to provide adequate and proper treatment to the victim and submit his report including copy of the injury report through special messenger within seven days.

The OHRC further directed the State government if necessary shift the victim to any hospital outside the State for better treatment.

“If necessity arises, the victim may be sent to a higher centre for advanced and specialised treatment even outside the State if such facilities are not available in our State,” the OHRC order said.

It may be mentioned here that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had on Tuesday announced for free treatment of the victim and if necessary shift her to a hospital outside the State for better treatment as we reported here.

The IG of Police (South-Western Range) and Koraput Collector have been also directed to submit their detailed and exhaustive reports about the horrendous incident of gang rape of the minor to the Commission.

“The district administration is recommended to arrange counselling support to the victim and necessary financial assistance may also be provided to the victim family out of the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to assuage their feeling. Proper medical facilities and shelter be provided to the victim as well as to her parents. The Collector & District Magistrate, Koraput and the Superintendent of Police, Koraput to provide protection to the victim and her parents so that they would not be subjected to any kind of pressure to hush up the incident. The victim and her parents be provided with all assistance including approaching the District Legal Services Authority to come to the aid and assistance of the victim,” the Commission’s order said.

Meanwhile, DGP RP Sharma stated today that the case has been classified as a ‘Red Flag’ case by Odisha police and investigation is in full swing from all angles to ascertain the truth and nab the culprits.

Notably, a minor girl who was returning home from school was allegedly gang-raped by four armed men in uniform in a forested area near Sorishpadar village under Pottangi police limits on Tuesday after being waylaid.