Posted On September 12, 2021

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a compliance report from the Collector, Dhenkanal, Odisha with payment proof of Rs 7 lakh to a minor student who is sexual violence victim, within six weeks. The NHRC also issued notice to petitioner of the case, if he can help in coordinating with victim, so that monetary relief reaches to victim.

Acting on a petition and rejoinders filed by rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy and the response from State authorities, the NHRC passed order. The complainant, Tripathy, alleged continuance of sexual exploitation of minor girls, some of them being found pregnant in various State – run SC/ ST residential schools in Odisha. 

Alleging failure, negligence and inaction of State Government to act over issue and crime committed against minor girls, Tripathy requested NHRC to ensure legal action against wrong doers and heavy compensation with rehabilitation of tvictims with preventive measures.As per an inquiry report submitted by Collector, Dhenkanal, the Scheduled Tribe girl student studying in Saptasajya Ashram School had gone home during summer vacations of May- June 2018. During her stay at Jajpur, the younger brother of her sister – in – law ,who is also a juvenile, had physical relationship with her. The student , after medical checkups, found to be seven months pregnant.

The victim girl student of Saptasajya Ashram School, Dhenkanal has been awarded Rs 7 lakh as compensation by DLSA, Dhenkanal and has been staying with her parents. Tripathy has asked few volunteers from local area, where victim student after leaving her education has been staying with her child in Dhenkanal district, to apply for a PAN card and arrange other documents for receiving compensation amount from district administration. In Government  SSD Girls High School, Balda, Koraput  , Headmaster Bidhu Bhuson Nayak established physical relation with a tribal girl  student studying in class IX. A criminal case has been registered and headmaster was arrested and disciplinary proceeding has also been initiated.

The DLSA, Koraput has also  given an amount of Rs 1,50,000 as interim compensation and Rs 10,000 has been paid to victim from Indian Red Cross Society. Thereafter on orders of Odisha Human Rights Commission an amount of Rs 3,75,000 has been paid to the victim and a pucca house in favour of victim under housing scheme. In case of student of SSD Government Girls High School, Balda, Koraput, the case ended in charge sheet.

After getting bail, the accused headmaster went to village of victim girl and brought her with him with her consent with new born girl child from childcare cente, Koraput and now is happily staying with accused headmaster in a rented house in Koraput.

Courtesy: The Pioneer