The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Government to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to a married woman, who was raped by a Sub-Inspector of the Gobindpur police station in Sambalpur district on July 4, 2015.
The NHRC also asked the Chief Secretary to ensure payment of monetary compensation to the victim within eight weeks and submit a report along with proof of payment to the commission.
The NHRC gave the direction while hearing a petition filed by Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain, who had alleged that SI of Gobindpur PS Bikari Charan Behera had raped the wife of a man accused in a police case, Sambhu Prasad Sah. Swain alleged the police inaction in the case is violation of human rights.
The NHRC taking cognisance of the case asked the Chief Secretary to show cause why compensation should not be paid monetary compensation. The commission also sought a report from the Sambalpur SP on the outcome of the investigation. Later, the SP in his report stated that the accused SI had surrendered before a court and the matter is sub judice.
The SP also stated that as the offence was committed by a Government servant, compensation should be paid to the victim under Sections 18 of PHR Act 1993.
The NHRC after considering the suggestion of the SP awarded Rs 3 lakh compensation to the victim.