NHRC notice to the Government of Bihar over naked parading of a woman after the murder of a boy and large scale violence in Bhojpur district (23.08.2018)



PRESS RELEASE



New Delhi, 23rd August, 2018

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a woman was beaten and paraded naked by some people in Bihiya village of Bhojpur district in Bihar on suspicion of her involvement in a teenager's mysterious death. The 16 year old boy from Damodarpur village had gone to village Bihiya to seek admission to class XI but later his body was found in the red light area of the village with injuries on his genitals. Thereafter, large scale violence was witnessed on the 20th August, 2018. The mob set ablaze several shops and indulged in stone pelting.


The Commission has issued a notice to the Government of Bihar, through its Chief Secretary, calling for a detailed report in the matter. The Director General of Police, Bihar has been directed to ensure proper protection to the victim woman and her family members so that she is not threatened or subjected to any kind harassment by the miscreants. The officers have been given four weeks to respond.


While issuing notices, the Commission has observed that the sequence of incidents indicate towards negligence on the part of the police authorities and the local administration. The incidents appear to be a serious case of violation of human rights including right to life of the teenager and the right to dignity to the victim woman. Though FIRs were registered in the matter and several police personnel were placed under suspicion the action does not seem to be sufficient.


According to the media report carried on the 22nd August, 2018, 16 persons had been arrested by the police and 8 policemen were placed under suspension. Three FIRs have been registered in the matter. One is based on the complaint of the victim woman. The other has been registered in connection with the death of the teenager besides another against those, who damaged public and private properties during the agitation.

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