NHRC asks for a report from Chief Secretary & DGP, UP on the present status of CBI Investigation into the missing persons / children in Nithari Village; asks to specify whether all missing cases have been entrusted to CBI
New Delhi, February 15, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttar Pradesh to submit a detailed report within four weeks, giving the present status of CBI Investigation and specify whether cases of all the missing persons or children in Nithari Village have been registered and entrusted for investigation to CBI.
The NHRC’s direction comes after DGP, UP forwarded a report of the Inspector General of Police, Meerut Zone. The Commission in its order dated January 2, 2007 had sought a factual report from the two authorities earlier. The report of the IG, Meerut Zone discloses that 19 cases have been registered during the period 13.12.2006 to 04.01.2007 in connection with the missing / abducted children / adults from the Nithari Village. According to the report, the investigation of these cases has been entrusted to CBI. The report spells out the steps taken by the State Govt. to provide monetary and other relief to the family of the victims and steps taken by the District Police to trace the missing children. It has also talked about the disciplinary actions taken against the erring police officers.
The Commission after going through the report, however felt it did not clearly state whether CBI Investigation is limited to the 19 registered cases or covers the cases of all persons reported missing in the village. It may be recalled that as per media reports, more than 38 persons / children were missing from the village. It is also not clear whether cases have been registered in respect of all those missing.
The Commission has expressed serious concern on the recent phenomenon of missing children. It said this is not confined to Nithari alone as similar incidents have been reported from other parts of the country as well. Taking serious view of the happenings all over the country, the Commission has said that the issue needs to be examined in depth and guidelines be evolved to deal with such cases effectively and meaningfully to protect and promote Human Rights of children. The Commission also said appropriate steps are to be taken so that their rights are not violated.
In view of the seriousness of the issue, the Commission has decided to appoint a Committee to study the matter in detail and give suggestions so that appropriate guidelines may be drawn by the Commission. The Committee from NHRC comprises of Shri P.C. Sharma (Member), as Chairman, Shri Damodar Sarangi, DG(I), Shri A.K. Garg, Registrar(Law) & Dr. Savita Bhakhry, SRO as its Members and Shri P.M.V. Siromony, CC(Trg.) as Convener. The Committee has been given eight weeks time to submit its report.
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The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttar Pradesh to submit a detailed report within four weeks, giving the present status of CBI Investigation and specify whether cases of all the missing persons or children in Nithari Village have been registered and entrusted for investigation to CBI.
The NHRC’s direction comes after DGP, UP forwarded a report of the Inspector General of Police, Meerut Zone. The Commission in its order dated January 2, 2007 had sought a factual report from the two authorities earlier. The report of the IG, Meerut Zone discloses that 19 cases have been registered during the period 13.12.2006 to 04.01.2007 in connection with the missing / abducted children / adults from the Nithari Village. According to the report, the investigation of these cases has been entrusted to CBI. The report spells out the steps taken by the State Govt. to provide monetary and other relief to the family of the victims and steps taken by the District Police to trace the missing children. It has also talked about the disciplinary actions taken against the erring police officers.
The Commission after going through the report, however felt it did not clearly state whether CBI Investigation is limited to the 19 registered cases or covers the cases of all persons reported missing in the village. It may be recalled that as per media reports, more than 38 persons / children were missing from the village. It is also not clear whether cases have been registered in respect of all those missing.
The Commission has expressed serious concern on the recent phenomenon of missing children. It said this is not confined to Nithari alone as similar incidents have been reported from other parts of the country as well. Taking serious view of the happenings all over the country, the Commission has said that the issue needs to be examined in depth and guidelines be evolved to deal with such cases effectively and meaningfully to protect and promote Human Rights of children. The Commission also said appropriate steps are to be taken so that their rights are not violated.
In view of the seriousness of the issue, the Commission has decided to appoint a Committee to study the matter in detail and give suggestions so that appropriate guidelines may be drawn by the Commission. The Committee from NHRC comprises of Shri P.C. Sharma (Member), as Chairman, Shri Damodar Sarangi, DG(I), Shri A.K. Garg, Registrar(Law) & Dr. Savita Bhakhry, SRO as its Members and Shri P.M.V. Siromony, CC(Trg.) as Convener. The Committee has been given eight weeks time to submit its report.
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