NHRC camp at Lucknow - draws authorities' attention to failure in filing FIRs and delay in compliance; directs State Government to complete all pending magisterial inquiries within three months
January 21, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has drawn the attention of Uttar Pradesh authorities to a range of issues including failure to file FIRs, delay in compliance with its recommendations, in cases where it has recommended prosecution or disciplinary action and delay in sending requisite details or reports in custodial deaths.
In its special meeting with Secretary Home, Secretary Health, Additional Director General Police (Human Rights) DG (Prisons) the Commission asked the officials to expedite the compliance of sending reports such as magisterial inquiry and viscera report. of those who died in custody. The State Government has been directed to complete all pending magisterial inquiries within three months and all future inquiries within three months and in exceptional cases within six months.
During its three day sitting in the State Capital Lucknow from January 18 to 20,2007 the Commission also expressed deep concern about inadequate action taken against erring revenue officials found guilty of manipulation of records, in the context of several cases of living landholders being declared dead for usurping their property. The Commission suggested a survey to trace such cases and issuing of public notices inviting petitions/complaints from affected parties in such cases. It has also directed the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Secretary to submit a comprehensive report of all such incidents in the state by March 12 ,2007 and to send a full status report on the action taken against the erring persons in such cases. The revenue secretary has also been directed to attend the commission on March 15, 2007.
The commission said it was a matter of concern that the number of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Homes, Observation Homes and Special Homes were far below the number of districts in the state. Juvenile Justice Boards have been set up in only nine districts and Protective Homes in 51 districts. Child Welfare Committees were still being set up and information regarding setting up of Children's Homes for infants in 63 districts, for boys in 56 districts and girls in 67 districts were still awaited, the Commission expressed concern.
With regard to the status of juvenile observation homes the Commission said it was disturbing due to lack of hygiene, opportunities for education etc. NHRC will hold national level consultations on February 2 and 3,2007 to improve the status of juvenile justice in the country.
The Commission also discussed the plan of action adopted by the State to prevent and end trafficking of women and children. The Commission also recommended revival of the system of board of visitors in jails. The Commission drew the attention of the State authorities to repeated instances of bonded and child labour in the State. During discussions the Commission expressed concern at the high infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition in the State. It expressed satisfaction that the State government had completed the Chaitanya Vihar Phase II in Vrindavan for destitute women.
In the three day sitting, 32 cases of Full Commission and 150 cases of Single Members were disposed of. Nearly 1000 cases were listed for these three days. The Commission impressed upon the State authorities to expedite responses and reports. The State authorities in some cases furnished reports in Lucknow itself and assured that the responses and reports will be expedited within the timeframe.
The Full commission meeting in Lucknow was held following a decision by the Commission on November 21,2006, to hold sittings in State capitals in order to expedite disposal of pending complaints, furnish status of complaints, to receive complaints and sensitize the State functionaries on the human rights. The Lucknow camp is the first in the series of sittings to be held in State capitals.
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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has drawn the attention of Uttar Pradesh authorities to a range of issues including failure to file FIRs, delay in compliance with its recommendations, in cases where it has recommended prosecution or disciplinary action and delay in sending requisite details or reports in custodial deaths.
In its special meeting with Secretary Home, Secretary Health, Additional Director General Police (Human Rights) DG (Prisons) the Commission asked the officials to expedite the compliance of sending reports such as magisterial inquiry and viscera report. of those who died in custody. The State Government has been directed to complete all pending magisterial inquiries within three months and all future inquiries within three months and in exceptional cases within six months.
During its three day sitting in the State Capital Lucknow from January 18 to 20,2007 the Commission also expressed deep concern about inadequate action taken against erring revenue officials found guilty of manipulation of records, in the context of several cases of living landholders being declared dead for usurping their property. The Commission suggested a survey to trace such cases and issuing of public notices inviting petitions/complaints from affected parties in such cases. It has also directed the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Secretary to submit a comprehensive report of all such incidents in the state by March 12 ,2007 and to send a full status report on the action taken against the erring persons in such cases. The revenue secretary has also been directed to attend the commission on March 15, 2007.
The commission said it was a matter of concern that the number of Juvenile Justice Boards, Child Welfare Homes, Observation Homes and Special Homes were far below the number of districts in the state. Juvenile Justice Boards have been set up in only nine districts and Protective Homes in 51 districts. Child Welfare Committees were still being set up and information regarding setting up of Children's Homes for infants in 63 districts, for boys in 56 districts and girls in 67 districts were still awaited, the Commission expressed concern.
With regard to the status of juvenile observation homes the Commission said it was disturbing due to lack of hygiene, opportunities for education etc. NHRC will hold national level consultations on February 2 and 3,2007 to improve the status of juvenile justice in the country.
The Commission also discussed the plan of action adopted by the State to prevent and end trafficking of women and children. The Commission also recommended revival of the system of board of visitors in jails. The Commission drew the attention of the State authorities to repeated instances of bonded and child labour in the State. During discussions the Commission expressed concern at the high infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate and malnutrition in the State. It expressed satisfaction that the State government had completed the Chaitanya Vihar Phase II in Vrindavan for destitute women.
In the three day sitting, 32 cases of Full Commission and 150 cases of Single Members were disposed of. Nearly 1000 cases were listed for these three days. The Commission impressed upon the State authorities to expedite responses and reports. The State authorities in some cases furnished reports in Lucknow itself and assured that the responses and reports will be expedited within the timeframe.
The Full commission meeting in Lucknow was held following a decision by the Commission on November 21,2006, to hold sittings in State capitals in order to expedite disposal of pending complaints, furnish status of complaints, to receive complaints and sensitize the State functionaries on the human rights. The Lucknow camp is the first in the series of sittings to be held in State capitals.
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