PRESS RELEASE

Puducherry/New Delhi, 30th April, 2015.

A three day Camp Sitting of the National Human Rights Commission, presided over by Member, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, concluded today after hearing the concerned petitioners and the public authorities in 41 cases of human rights violations concerning the Union Territory Puducherry.

The Commission recommended Rs.3 lakh as interim relief to the next of kin of deceased, Devu Sattibahu, who died in police custody and directed the Chief Secretary of Puducherry to submit a compliance report within six weeks. In a case of suicide of a woman prisoner, Smt. Ambiga, in the Central Prison, the Commission issued notice to Chief Secretary, Puducherry to show cause why an interim relief of Rs.1 lakh may not be recommended to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased on account of negligence of the prison personnel.

In a case involving child sex slavery in Puducherry, the Commission noted that 18 persons, including nine police officials, who had been dismissed from the service, were being chargesheeted. The Commission directed the UT Administration to pay Rs.1 lakh each to four minor girl victims of sexual exploitation within eight weeks. In a case of molestation of a girl student by her teacher in a government school, the Commission recommended Rs.50 thousand to be paid as interim relief to the victim within six weeks. In a similar case, two other students were recommended to be paid Rs.50 thousand each within six weeks.

In a case involving atrocities on Scheduled Caste persons, where chargesheet had already been filed in the court, the Commission directed the UT Administration to pay compensation to the victims under the provisions of SC/ST (PoA) Act. In 15 cases, further reports were called from the authorities. The Commission closed 9 cases on receipt of compliance and other requisite reports.

In a case involving labourers from Puducherry, working as bonded labourers in Tamil Nadu, the Commission asked the District Magistrate, Puducherry to coordinate with the concerned District Magistrates of Tamil Nadu in securing their release certificates and ensuring their expeditious rehabilitation in accordance with the provisions of law.

Apart from hearing the cases, Justice Murugesan, accompanied by a team of NHRC officers, including the Joint Registrar (Law), Mr. A.K. Parashar and Assistant Registrar (Law), Mr. O.P. Vyas, visited Puducherry Central Jail, Rajiv Gandhi Government Women & Children Hospital, police stations to take stock of the situation on the ground, vis-à-vis their functioning.

He also held meetings with the representatives of the NGOs and senior officers of the Union Territory of Puducherry. In the meeting with the NGOs, the non-implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, constitution of State Human Rights Commission, non-release of ICDS funds for Children Homes, periodic review of cases of under trial prisoners, remission cases of convicts, financial relief to the victims of sexual assault, implementation of Minimum Wages Act and the Inter-State Migrant Act, plight of leather industry workers and non-implementation of the flagship programmes in the UT were taken up among others.

In the meeting with the senior officers, implementation of guidelines on bonded labour, training of officers, trafficking, sexual harassment at work place, disability issues, vacant posts of doctors in government hospitals, issues related with allegations of police inaction, illegal detention, false implication, custodial torture, prison affairs and legal aid issues were discussed. They were also sensitized on the importance of protection and promotion of human rights and the need to provide timely reports, as requisitioned by the Commission.

*****