Rajkot: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the state government to pay Rs 2 lakh as compensation to a minor Dalit rape survivor in Kutch. The NHRC also reprimanded the senior police officers for not processing the compensation as per the law despite direction the commission’s directives.
In October 2018, the then 16-year-old survivor had lodged a complaint with Gandhidham police station accusing two minor boys of raping her in Jivanprabhat Ashram — an orphanage in Rajkot.
Taking cognizance of the incident, the NHRC had issued notice to the state government and ordered compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the survivor. However, the said amount was not paid.
The NHRC in its January 19 order stated that “The institution has failed to protect the safety of the victim while she was under the care and custody of the institution. It also noted that the human rights of the victim were violated. The NHRC earlier gave a notice asking the state government why monetary relief of Rs 2 lakh should not be granted. However, there was no response from the authorities.”
Meanwhile, the complainant Vinod Khubchandani made a representation to the commission alleging that the police was threatening him and the survivor.
The NHRC in its order also directed the chief secretary of Gujarat government to send the proof of compensation paid to the rape survivor.
The commission has directed Gujarat director general of police to send action taken report and details of security provided to the survivor as well as the complainant. The NHRC also asked the DGP to send details of monetary relief provided to the rape survivor under SC/ST Act within four weeks.