NHRC issues notices to the Government of NCT of Delhi in an alleged case of sexual assault of a minor by MCD School Peon and accomplices in East Delhi

New Delhi, 27th March, 2023

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of the media report of alleged sexual abuse of a minor by a peon of a municipal school in East Delhi.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of the victim's human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT of Delhi, the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Delhi and the Commissioner of Police, Delhi calling for a detailed report in the matter, including action taken against the responsible employees, current status of investigation and status of the counselling and statutory relief provided to the victim girl/aggrieved family, within four weeks. Furthermore, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is also expected to ensure that proper guidelines are issued to all the schools under their jurisdiction to make sure that there should not be any delays on the part of the school authorities in reporting the incidents to the police so that the perpetrators are nabbed without any hesitation.

The report must also contain whether State or Delhi Legal Service Authority has awarded compensation to the victim irrespective of the trial taking place or offender was traced or identified in terms of Section 357(4) Cr.P.C, if yes, the quantum of compensation is also to be included in the report.

According to the media report, carried on 24th March, 2023, the victim was injected with sedatives before four men took turns raping her, and after the alleged assault, the suspect brought her back to the school. The victim girl narrated the incident to her mother when she returned home, injured the same day, but the family, ostensibly worried about reputation and the victim’s future, decided not to involve the police.

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