NHRC sends Notices to Chief Secretary & DGP, Andhra Pradesh on selling of girls
by their parents; and asks for an enquiry by DGP, Maharashtra
on the alleged murder of a British Tourist
New Delhi, February 1, 2007
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notices to Chief Secretary and DGP, Andhra Pradesh on media reports which said that parents were selling their daughters in the state. Taking suo-motu cognizance of the report telecast by CNN-IBN and also published by the Hindustan Times, the Commission said the reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of Human Rights of girls.
The CNN-IBN report telecast on January 27, 2007 had said that young girls are being sold for as little as Rs. 12,000/- in Rajamundry District of the State and turned into sex slaves. The report also highlighted that the people selling and forcing them into flesh trade are their own parents. A special investigation by the channel uncovered the racket and the police was able to arrest the culprits.
The Hindustan Times report on January 28, 2007 had said that the Rajamundry police went after the brokers who were indulging in trafficking after being tipped off by the Maharashtra Police. At least 41 girls were rescued from various places in Maharashtra and 37 of them were from Andhra Pradesh. Twelve brokers and 2 parents were arrested by the police.
After going through both the reports, the Commission directed that the news report be transmitted to Chief Secretary & DGP, Andhra Pradesh for a factual report within two weeks.
The Commission also took note of a complaint referred by Shri A. R. Antulay, Minister of Minority Affairs regarding the murder of a British tourist in Maharashtra . As per the clippings sent by Shri Antulay, the British tourist Stephen Bennett was found hanging from a tree in Malasai hamlet near Roha town in Raigad District. The reports in the clippings said Bennett boarded a train to Mumbai and allegedly alighted on the way and travelled to a remote area, which raises doubt. The reports also said that Bennett might have been abducted from Goa where he was staying and his body was found battered and hanging from a tree near Roha town. The reports further said that Bennett had expressed fears for his safety in phone calls to his home and his sister had tried to alert the authorities in India but no one responded.
According to another newspaper report Bennett was killed after he allegedly molested a woman in Village Malasai and police have arrested 4 persons including the woman's husband in this regard. The incident had taken place on December 11, 2006 but came to light very late. The Commission after going through the reports has directed that a copy of Shri Antulay's letter along with the clippings be transmitted to the DGP, Maharasthra to have an enquiry done and send a factual report within four weeks.
***
The National Human Rights Commission has sent notices to Chief Secretary and DGP, Andhra Pradesh on media reports which said that parents were selling their daughters in the state. Taking suo-motu cognizance of the report telecast by CNN-IBN and also published by the Hindustan Times, the Commission said the reports, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of Human Rights of girls.
The CNN-IBN report telecast on January 27, 2007 had said that young girls are being sold for as little as Rs. 12,000/- in Rajamundry District of the State and turned into sex slaves. The report also highlighted that the people selling and forcing them into flesh trade are their own parents. A special investigation by the channel uncovered the racket and the police was able to arrest the culprits.
The Hindustan Times report on January 28, 2007 had said that the Rajamundry police went after the brokers who were indulging in trafficking after being tipped off by the Maharashtra Police. At least 41 girls were rescued from various places in Maharashtra and 37 of them were from Andhra Pradesh. Twelve brokers and 2 parents were arrested by the police.
After going through both the reports, the Commission directed that the news report be transmitted to Chief Secretary & DGP, Andhra Pradesh for a factual report within two weeks.
The Commission also took note of a complaint referred by Shri A. R. Antulay, Minister of Minority Affairs regarding the murder of a British tourist in Maharashtra . As per the clippings sent by Shri Antulay, the British tourist Stephen Bennett was found hanging from a tree in Malasai hamlet near Roha town in Raigad District. The reports in the clippings said Bennett boarded a train to Mumbai and allegedly alighted on the way and travelled to a remote area, which raises doubt. The reports also said that Bennett might have been abducted from Goa where he was staying and his body was found battered and hanging from a tree near Roha town. The reports further said that Bennett had expressed fears for his safety in phone calls to his home and his sister had tried to alert the authorities in India but no one responded.
According to another newspaper report Bennett was killed after he allegedly molested a woman in Village Malasai and police have arrested 4 persons including the woman's husband in this regard. The incident had taken place on December 11, 2006 but came to light very late. The Commission after going through the reports has directed that a copy of Shri Antulay's letter along with the clippings be transmitted to the DGP, Maharasthra to have an enquiry done and send a factual report within four weeks.
***