NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported sexual exploitation of women workers of a private network company in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar

Press release

National Human Rights Commission

New Delhi: 21st June, 2024

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of the reported sexual exploitation of women workers of a private network company in Muzaffarpur district of Bihar

Reportedly, no action taken by the police against the company despite several criminal cases registered against it in various districts of Bihar

NHRC issues notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a number of women working in a private network company in Muzaffarpur district, Bihar were given intoxicating pills, beaten, and forced to make physical relation by the operator of the company. Reportedly, the number of such victimized girls is stated to be more than one hundred. A large number of criminal cases are registered in various districts of Bihar against the company, but the police has not taken any strict action in the matter. The company has its branches at many places in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal.

According to the media report, carried on 18th June, 2024, the girls are being physically and mentally exploited in more than 10 districts of Bihar including Muzaffarpur, Supaul, East Champaran, West Champaran, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj. Reportedly, the operator of the networking company has a history of involvement in criminal activities. He takes the girls to Nepal in the name of providing training, where they are physically exploited and if they protest, they are mercilessly beaten up.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of human rights violation. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Bihar calling for a detailed report in the matter within one week.

The report sought from the state government is to include the number of criminal cases registered against the operator and the networking company, mentioned in the news report, the status of their investigation, and action taken by the police and civic authorities against the perpetrators. The Commission would also like to know about relief and rehabilitation as well as medical treatment and counseling services provided by the authorities to the victim girls as well as steps taken/ proposed to be taken to ensure that such incidents do not recur in the future.

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