Important Interventions

Offering of girls to Goddess Mathamma
(Case No. 2017/22/12/2017-WC)
T
he National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint drawing its attention towards the inhuman treatment being meted out to the girls and women, who are forcibly taken to the temple of Goddess Mathamma for offering in Thiruvallur District of Tamil Nadu and adjoining places. As the ritual goes, a girl is dressed like a bride and after the ceremony, she is unrobed by five boys, virtually leaving her naked. Thereafter, she is forced to live at Mathamma temple, deemed to be like a public property, and face sexual exploitation. She can neither live with her family nor get educated. Allegedly, this
practice is another form of Devadasi system, which is still practiced in some parts of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
The Commission has observed that the allegations, made in the complaint as well as in the media report, if true, amount to violation of human rights including Rights to Life, Education and Dignity of the victims. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Government of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh calling for reports in the matter.
Piercing of cheeks of 20 children with steel rods
(Case No. 2116/22/14/2016)
T
he National Human Rights Commission has found that on the 3rd October, 2016 in Tamil Nadu, the cheeks of about 20 children were pierced with two meter steel rods as part of a ritual for speedy recovery of the then ailing Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Ms. J. Jayalalilthaa. It has asked the Additional Commissioner of Police, Law and Order, North Chennai, Tamil Nadu to register a case under sections 326/341/34/120B, IPC against those who forced them face this torture. The officer has also been asked to inform about the disciplinary action taken against the erring police officials, who were, admittedly, present at the site and did nothing to stop the criminal act. Further, the Commission has issued a notice to the Principal Secretary (Home), Government of Tamil Nadu to submit a report on the steps taken to stop such rituals.

Rs. 6 lakh as relief in a case of botched up eye surgery
(Case No. 646/36/2/2016)
S
etting aside the contention of the Government of Telangana, the National Human Rights Commission has held that the liability to pay relief in a case of botched up eye surgery at a Government hospital, rests with the State Government and not the drug manufacturer. The surgeries were conducted at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, Mehdipatnam, Hyderabad on the 4th July, 2016. Accordingly, the Commission has recommended
that the State Government pay Rs. one lakh each to 6 out of 13 victims, whose eye sight could not be
recovered even after further treatment. The Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana has been
directed to submit compliance report along with the proof of payment.