PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, Dated: 11th June, 2015

Setting aside the contention of the Government of Haryana, the National Human Rights Commission has reiterated its recommendations that the State Government pay rupees three lakh each to the next of kin of two teenage girls, who committed suicide by hanging themselves in the bathroom of the Nari Niketan, Karnal on the 25th June, 2013. The Commission has asked the Chief Secretary of the State to submit the compliance report along with proof of payment within six weeks.

Earlier, in response to the show cause notice of the Commission, the Government of Haryana had contended that the functioning of Nari Niketan was being monitored regularly by the District Administration for the safety of inmates. There were no lapses on the part of the management of the 'State After Care Centre'. Hence, it was not in favour of providing monetary relief to the next of kin of the two deceased.

After consideration of the response of the State Government, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Member of the Commission has observed that it is the statutory duty of the State and its functionaries to ensure the safety of the detainees during their custody. The Government has the absolute right to hold persons for offences against it, but it also has a co-relative duty to protect them against assault or injury from any quarter while in custody. Thus, the management of the 'State After Care Centre' failed to perform its duty as per law for which the State was liable to compensate to the next of kin of the deceased. The rule of law requires that the wrong should not remain un-redressed. Therefore, the Government of Haryana is again recommended to make payment of monetary relief.

During the course of enquiry, the Commission found that both the teenage girls were of around 17 years. One belonged to Kaithal and another to Mahendergarh. The girl from Kaithal was brought to the Nari Niketan on the 17th June, 2013 while the girl from Mahendergarh was lodged in the shelter home on the 22nd June, 2013 on the directions of a court after being caught by police on complaints that they had run away from their respective houses with some men of their choice. On the 23rd June, 2013, both escaped from the Nari Niketan but were traced and brought back and on the 25th June, 2013 they both committed suicide.

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