Persistent NHRC ensures payment of Rs.5 lakh as relief to a minor victim of sexual assault in Madhya Pradesh (19.6.2015)

PRESS RELEASE

New Delhi, Dated: 19th June, 2015

On the intervention of the National Human Rights Commission, Government of Madhya Pradesh has finally paid Rs.5 lakh as monetary relief to the parents of a minor girl, aged 2 years, who was sexually assaulted by a Ward Boy of a Primary Health Centre, Kanad, District Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh on the 15th March, 2013.

Earlier, in response to the notices of the Commission, the State Government had held that the recommendation for payment of Rs.5 lakh as interim relief to the victim was not accordance with the rules.

However, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan, Member, NHRC reiterating his recommendation to the State Government, observed that the Commission has special powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act to award appropriate relief and is not bound by the rules framed by the Government for payment of compensation in such cases and therefore, it was unable to accept the propriety/justification of the report that the amount of Rs.5 lakh as relief was not in accordance with the rules.

During the course of enquiry, the Commission had found that the allegation of sexual assault was correct. The victim girl had come to the Primary Health Centre along with her expecting mother and became victim of sexual assault by a Ward Boy. A criminal case vide FIR No. 71/2013 for the offences punishable under Sections 376(2) GH, 366, 363 IPC; Section 5/6 of POCSO Act and Section 3(2)5 of Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, was registered at PS Kanad. The accused was arrested and a chargesheet was filed in the court.

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