Chandigarh, Panchkula, March 02: While taking cognizance of an incident, in which a mentally-challenged minor girl was allegedly sexually abused by a teenager in a colony at Yamuna Nagar, Justice Mr. Rajan Gupta, Judge, Punjab & Haryana High Court-cum-Executive Chairperson, HALSA immediately issued directions to District Legal Services Authority, Yamuna Nagar to contact the family members and provide necessary assistance in the shape of medical assistance, socio-legal counseling and interim compensation for the rehabilitation of the victim.
The girl was 6 months pregnant and on counseling of the girl and family members, she disclosed the name of her alleged abuser. The accused child-in-conflict with the law has been sent to Place of Safety at Karnal.
On directions, the Ld. Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary-cum-Secretary, DLSA Yamuna Nagar, provided due socio-legal counseling by deputing panel advocates and medical team of Chief Medical Officer, Yamuna Nagar. Required medical help was provided for the well-being of the victim. Due counseling was provided. A panel advocate was also appointed to assist the girl and her family members to seek interim compensation.
On application by the victim through panel advocate provided by DLSA Yamuna Nagar, an interim compensation amounting to Rs. 70,000 (Rs. 50,000 for immediate rehabilitation and Rs. 20,000 for medical expenses) has been awarded to the victim by Ld. Secretary, DLSA Yamuna Nagar.
That apart keeping in view the sensitivity of the crime and to avoid such happening in future Executive Chairperson, Haryana State Legal Services Authority issued following directions to all the Ld. Chairpersons & Secretaries, District Legal Services Authorities in the State of Haryana:
1. Chairpersons and Secretaries, DLSAs to ensure effective implementation of NALSA (Child-Friendly Legal Services to Children and their Protection) Scheme, 2015.
2. DLSAs to initiate awareness campaigns and programs specifically for the children whose both parents are employed and children are either left home alone or in the company of children of neighbors. The programs should aim to teach Good touch and bad touch and strong moral values.
3. Chairpersons & Secretaries to ensure personal interaction with all the inmates residing at Place of Safety, observation homes, Child Care Institutions, etc.
4. To ensure proper hygiene and proper infrastructure being maintained at Place of Safety, observation homes, Child Care Institutions, etc.
5. To initiate maximum vocational training programs in each of the places mentioned above i.e. place of safety, observation homes, child care institutions, etc. That apart, strictly adhere to the educational needs, skill development programs for children residing at such places.
6. To conduct regular psychological counseling sessions for the inmates on a group/ individual basis as per the requirement in coordination with Health Department for the children residing at such places.
7. There shall be regular counseling and sensitization programs for children residing at co-educational child care institutions about Good Touch & Bad Touch. The children shall also be told to report any advances against their dignity.
Chairpersons & Secretaries have been asked to ensure that all the children in conflict with the law are provided with legal aid wherever it is required and monitor such cases on regular basis.