NHRC Notice To Govt On Sexual Assault To A School Girl

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the Odisha Chief Secretary in connection with an alleged sexual assault on a schoolgirl of Khadial block in Nuapada district.

The commission has asked the Chief Secretary to respond as to why the victim should not be given an exgratia of 50,000 as her rights were violated.

According to a petition filed by rights activist Subash Mohapatra, a girl student of Bendrabahal Primary School in Khadial block of Nuapada district had been subject to sexual harassment by a male teacher on the school premises from August 25 to 31 in 2014. However, the victim narrated her ordeal before her family members, who lodged a complaint with the Khariar police following which a case (211/2016) was registered.

Alleging laxity of the police, Mohapatra moved the NHRC and demanded compensation for the victim. He also sought a high-level probe into the incident.