Important Intervention

Suspected witchcraft practioner's life saved
The National Human Rights Commission, acting swiftly on a complaint, got rescued one Vishnu Dev Ravidas, a Dalit, from the clutches of some persons who had allegedly killed his wife suspecting that she practiced witchcraft. It lauded the efforts of its officers and local police in the matter.
It was found that a criminal case vide FIR No. 43/2015 was registered in the matter on the 20th March, 2015 at Police Station Pakri Barwan, u/s 143, 147, 149, 323, 341, 342, 365, IPC and Section 3,4 of Prevention of Witchcraft Practices Act. However, there was no information about the arrest of any accused in the matter nor any reasons provided for not invoking the provisions of the SC/ST Act. The whereabouts of the mother of the petitioner alleged to have been killed were also being ascertained.
The Commission observed that the allegations, if true, were disturbing that in a civilized society, governed by the rule of law, the evil practices like witchcraft were still in practice. It issued notices to the District Magistrate and Senior Superintendent of Police, Navada, Bihar calling for a report related to the incident, including the action taken against the accused. It said, if they failed to arrest the accused, they will have to appear before the Commission.

Rs. 60 lakh as relief in a case of deaths of 40 persons
The National Human Rights Commission has not accepted the contention of the Odisha Government that it will not pay any compensation to the families of 40 persons, who died during February, 2012, after consuming contaminated alcoholic medicinal preparations. The incident happened in parts of Cuttack and Khurda districts.
Reiterating its earlier stand for payment of relief of Rs. 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, the NHRC has asked the State Government, through its Chief Secretary, to send a compliance report along with the proof of payment.
The Commission had observed that the negligence of officers caused the unfortunate death of human beings, and the State was vicariously liable for their acts. The Justice Naidu Commission, set up by the State to conduct a judicial enquiry in the matter had also recommended monetary relief and held that the negligence of the officers had led to this tragedy.

Rs. 5 lakh as relief in a case of fake encounter
The National Human Rights Commission, setting aside the contention of the Government of Gujarat in a matter of encounter, reiterated that it had to pay Rs. 5 lakh as monetary relief to the next of kin of the victim Rahim Kasam Sumra, which the State government eventually paid. The Commission had taken up the matter on a complaint from the brother of the victim that Rahim was killed by the Gandhinagar police in a fake encounter on the 8th January, 2007.
In a prolonged exchange of notices and their replies, the Commission, on the basis of material on record, had found that the theory of a genuine encounter by police did not hold the ground. It recommended Rs. 5 lakh as monetary relief to the victim's family. The State government contested it as unjustified on the basis of yet another report, which was also rejected on merit by the Commission.
The Commission held that these responses were either inadequate, as explanations, or simply a confirmation that there were lapses and lacunae in the investigation of the case. The fact remained that the police was unable to establish that there was a genuine encounter.

Rs. 13 lakh as relief to victims of sexual exploitation in a school
Persistence of the National Human Rights Commission ensured that 13 students, victims of sexual exploitation by a teacher at the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Nayagarh, Odisha, were paid rupees Rs. 1 lakh each as relief for violation of their right to life and dignity. The school functions under the aegis of Jawahar Navodaya Samiti, Union Ministry of Human Resource Development. The issue was widely covered by media on the 23rd September, 2012.
The Commission found that only 13 students, instead of 38 students, as alleged, were sexually exploited. The accused teacher was arrested and terminated from the service. Four other teachers, who supported the accused and pressurized the complainant to withdraw his complaint, were suspended. Criminal proceedings were going on against them in a court of law. The then Principal of the school, who failed to keep a vigil on the immoral activities of the teacher for a long time and tried to suppress the incident, was transferred to another place. Criminal proceedings against him were also going on.
The Commission remained firm in not accepting the contention of the concerned authorities that monetary relief should not be awarded to the victims since they had expressed satisfaction with the action against the accused teacher and others.