NHRC notice to the Government of Bihar over the reported shaving of the head of a woman suspecting her of having an illicit relationship in District Araria

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi, 13th September, 2023

NHRC notice to the Government of Bihar over the reported shaving of the head of a woman suspecting her of having an illicit relationship in District Araria

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a group of men reportedly shaved the head of a woman belonging to a Scheduled Tribe in the Raniganj area of the district Araria in Bihar. The incident reportedly happened on 8th September, 2023.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, which is a matter of concern. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter.

The report should include the status of the FIR, physical as well as mental health status of the victim woman and compensation if any, granted to her. The response is expected within four weeks.

According to the media report, carried on 11th September, 2023, the villagers shaved the head of the woman, suspecting the woman of having an illicit relationship with a man in the same village. Reportedly, they also made a video of the incident and uploaded it on social media.

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