NHRC notice to Delhi Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner over conditions in and around an old Delhi orphanage (16.07.2014)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 16th July, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the girls of an orphanage, 'Bachchiyon Ka Ghar' for Muslim girls at Matia Mahal in Old Delhi, are facing problems due to shortage of space, filthy atmosphere and insecure surroundings. The orphanage, built in 1891, is one of the oldest buildings in the National Capital and is approached through congested, filthy and dark by-lanes.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of girls living in the orphanage. A notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi and Commissioner of Police, Delhi calling upon them to submit detailed reports within four weeks.
Reportedly, housed in a three storeyed building, the orphanage, consisting of one hall, six small rooms, is rat infested which often bite the girls during their sleep on the floor. The hall serves multi-purposes of a drawing room, dining room, bedroom, reading room and entertainment room. More than 50 girl inmates, aged from seven to eighteen years, cannot play outside as the narrow streets approaching the orphanage are always full of vagabonds who chase them till their school and back. These vagabonds also hit them with elbows and hurl unspeakably filthy invectives in their ears, snatch their dupatta and catch hold of their hands. When these girls resist their attempts, false complaints are filed against them. Hence, chances of happening of any untoward incident are always there.
*****
New Delhi, 16th July, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the girls of an orphanage, 'Bachchiyon Ka Ghar' for Muslim girls at Matia Mahal in Old Delhi, are facing problems due to shortage of space, filthy atmosphere and insecure surroundings. The orphanage, built in 1891, is one of the oldest buildings in the National Capital and is approached through congested, filthy and dark by-lanes.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of girls living in the orphanage. A notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi and Commissioner of Police, Delhi calling upon them to submit detailed reports within four weeks.
Reportedly, housed in a three storeyed building, the orphanage, consisting of one hall, six small rooms, is rat infested which often bite the girls during their sleep on the floor. The hall serves multi-purposes of a drawing room, dining room, bedroom, reading room and entertainment room. More than 50 girl inmates, aged from seven to eighteen years, cannot play outside as the narrow streets approaching the orphanage are always full of vagabonds who chase them till their school and back. These vagabonds also hit them with elbows and hurl unspeakably filthy invectives in their ears, snatch their dupatta and catch hold of their hands. When these girls resist their attempts, false complaints are filed against them. Hence, chances of happening of any untoward incident are always there.
*****