NHRC ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ for the 53 rights violation cases of Jharkhand concludes in Ranchi; ₹13.5 lakh paid by the State Government out of ₹50 lakh recommended as relief to the victims

New Delhi, 17th August, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India concluded its Open Hearing of the human rights cases of Jharkhand in Judicial Academy, Ranchi at the Camp Sitting by the Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra, Members, Mr. Justice M.M. Kumar, Dr. D.M. Mulay and Mr. Rajiv Jain on 16th August, 2022.

The Commission heard 53 cases of violation of human rights during the Open Hearing. The cases were of serious violations like rape, gang rape, allegation of witchcraft, electrocution deaths, medical negligence, denial of medical facilities, non-release of prisoners after completion of sentence, illegality in distribution of ration, deaths due to silicosis, etc.

The Commission, in 10 cases, recommended payment of compensation. Out of the same, Rs. 13.5 lakh has been paid by the State Government. The approval of the Chief Minister has been obtained in two cases where amount of compensation is Rs. 4 lakh and the State Government has assured to pay the same to the beneficiary concerned within two weeks. In two cases, partial compliance has been made and full compliance has been assured by the State Government. Approximately, compensation of Rs. 50 Lakh has been recommended out of which the above-mentioned amount has already been paid and the State Government has assured compliance of other orders as per the directions of the Commission. The Commission, based on merits closed 22 cases.

Some important recommendations made to the State of Jharkhand inter-alia include payment compensation of Rs.2.5 lakh each to the Next of Kin, NOK of the deceased in a matter pertaining to death of four persons in police firing, compensation of Rs.5 lakh to a victim of death due to electrocution, payment of compensation of Rs. 3.5 each to the NOK of labourers who died due to caving in of mica mine, formulation of a policy for identification and Rehabilitation of Silicosis patients, address the issue of increasing number of Quacks in the State etc.

After the disposal of the cases, the Commission held an interaction with the NGOs/HRDs. They raised a gamut of issues of human rights violations. These included delay in payment of MNREGA workers due to non-receipt of Central share, delay in providing ration, non-appointment of Disability Commissioner since long, lack of pre-school education due to shortage of Anganwadi workers, child trafficking, child marriage and Teenage pregnancy, delay in issuance of Handicap Certificate, lack of convergence between the Health Department and the ICDS etc. The representatives were informed that they can access the website hrcnet.nic.in for filing a complaint etc.

The Commission appreciated the work done by the NGOs and Human Rights Defenders in the State of Jharkhand and encouraged them to do their bonafide duty without fear or favour. The Chairperson, NHRC concluded with the observation that the continued partnership of the NGOs, HRDs with the National Human Rights Commission will go a long way in strengthening the human rights regime in the country.

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