NHRC recommends Rs. 5 lakh relief to the family of a boy killed in a mysterious blast at police officer's official residence in Uttar Pradesh [31.05.2016]
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 31st May, 2016
Master Mukesh @ Chotu Panika, a Dalit and aged about 15 years, was sent by his parents with a police officer to help him in his domestic chores and also pursue his studies with his support but that was not to be. A mysterious blast in the official residence of the Police Officer ended his life and shattered the dreams of his parents.
The incident happened while Mukesh was cleaning the official residence of the Station Officer in the campus of Police Station Obra, District Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh in the evening of 7th August, 2011.
The parents of the boy did not raise any suspicion on the incident and also admittedly claimed that at the time of the blast, Mukesh was 17 years of age and that the Police Officer used to help him in his studies.
But the issue was not only about knowing the exact reason behind the blast but also the age of the boy who was employed as a domestic aid by a government servant possibly against the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
During the course of a series of notices to the concerned officers of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and response thereof, the age of the boy was eventually confirmed being 15 years and one month at the time of the incident as per a School Certificate but the reason of the blast still remained a mystery.
The Commission found it very strange that the police authorities could not gather any forensic evidence to find out the cause of explosion in a government house in which a boy was killed. It could not accept the reports that nobody responsible for the blast could be identified and charged sheeted. It also could not accept the stand of District Magistrate, Sonebhadra that it was not possible to grant any monetary relief to the family members of the deceased Chotu.
Therefore, the Commission on the 05th December, 2014 asked the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh to conduct an enquiry in the matter through a responsible agency and find out the actual cause of explosion and the person behind this blast. He was also directed to inquire how a boy, aged about 15 years, was engaged in performing such a work which took his life, and take appropriate action against the guilty. He was asked that all the concerned must be examined during the enquiry.
Further, the Chief Secretary of State Government was directed to consider granting monetary relief to the victim's family as he lost life in an explosion while working in a government accommodation.
In response it was informed that enquiry of the incident has been handed over to the CB CID and that the State Government has no objection to granting relief.
Therefore, the Commission has recommended that the Government of Uttar Pradesh pay Rs. 5 lakh as relief to the next of kin of deceased Mukesh. The State Government has been asked through its Chief Secretary to submit proof of payment and a status report of the enquiry returnable within six weeks.
*****
New Delhi, 31st May, 2016
Master Mukesh @ Chotu Panika, a Dalit and aged about 15 years, was sent by his parents with a police officer to help him in his domestic chores and also pursue his studies with his support but that was not to be. A mysterious blast in the official residence of the Police Officer ended his life and shattered the dreams of his parents.
The incident happened while Mukesh was cleaning the official residence of the Station Officer in the campus of Police Station Obra, District Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh in the evening of 7th August, 2011.
The parents of the boy did not raise any suspicion on the incident and also admittedly claimed that at the time of the blast, Mukesh was 17 years of age and that the Police Officer used to help him in his studies.
But the issue was not only about knowing the exact reason behind the blast but also the age of the boy who was employed as a domestic aid by a government servant possibly against the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
During the course of a series of notices to the concerned officers of the Government of Uttar Pradesh and response thereof, the age of the boy was eventually confirmed being 15 years and one month at the time of the incident as per a School Certificate but the reason of the blast still remained a mystery.
The Commission found it very strange that the police authorities could not gather any forensic evidence to find out the cause of explosion in a government house in which a boy was killed. It could not accept the reports that nobody responsible for the blast could be identified and charged sheeted. It also could not accept the stand of District Magistrate, Sonebhadra that it was not possible to grant any monetary relief to the family members of the deceased Chotu.
Therefore, the Commission on the 05th December, 2014 asked the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh to conduct an enquiry in the matter through a responsible agency and find out the actual cause of explosion and the person behind this blast. He was also directed to inquire how a boy, aged about 15 years, was engaged in performing such a work which took his life, and take appropriate action against the guilty. He was asked that all the concerned must be examined during the enquiry.
Further, the Chief Secretary of State Government was directed to consider granting monetary relief to the victim's family as he lost life in an explosion while working in a government accommodation.
In response it was informed that enquiry of the incident has been handed over to the CB CID and that the State Government has no objection to granting relief.
Therefore, the Commission has recommended that the Government of Uttar Pradesh pay Rs. 5 lakh as relief to the next of kin of deceased Mukesh. The State Government has been asked through its Chief Secretary to submit proof of payment and a status report of the enquiry returnable within six weeks.
*****