New Delhi, August 16th, 2010

The National Human Rights Commission has decided to depute its investigation team for conducting an on-the-spot enquiry in connection with a complaint by one Ms. Padma Badaik alias Sushma, alleging that she is apprehending imminent threat to her life at the instance of a suspended senior police officer of Jharkhand, who is facing a trial in a case of alleged sexual harassment of the complainant.

The complainant is an adivasi woman from Jharkhand, who was allegedly sexually harassed by Mr. P.S. Natarajan, the then Zonal I.G. Ranchi. A criminal case for the offence of rape was registered against the accused I.G. which is pending trial in the Court, and he is presently under suspension. Under the recommendations of the National Commission for Women, she has been given police protection for the last so many months, and police constables are posted at her residence for her protection.

She has also alleged that at the instance of the said I.G., she is being implicated in the terrorist activities. Allegedly, a criminal named Raghu, who recently was arrested by the police, is being used to implicate her as his accomplice. The police have obtained his statement accusing her as the Group Leader of the Terrorists.

It is seen from the copies of the press clippings attached with the complaint that she is reported to have been running an armed organization named Jharkhand Army in Gumla region, and she has been given a name "Lady Don". However, she has alleged that such types of false allegations have been made against her in order to malign her reputation and dignity in the society.

She has further alleged that she is being victimized at the instance of the said I.G. of Jharkhand to pressurize her to make no statement against him in the original case pending in the court.

The Commission has asked the Director General (Investigation), NHRC to depute a team for on-the-spot enquiry and submit a report in the matter.


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