NHRC Seeks Report From Odisha Govt On Sexual Exploitation Of Minor Girls

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Odisha government about pregnancy of minor girls, especially the students of state-run schools.

The Commission asked the Chief Secretary to send a report while acting on a petition and rejoinders filed by activist and Supreme Court Lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.

Citing a recent incident, the petitioner alleged that on the pretext of giving a mobile phone, a ninth class student in Padagaon village under the jurisdiction of Adaba Police Station in Gajapati district was made pregnant by the husband of the local Sarpanch.

The sexual exploitation of minor girls, some of them are found pregnant in various government-run residential SC and ST schools, has been going on unabated.

Alleging negligence and inaction of the state government to act over crime committed on minor girls, the petitioner requested the NHRC to ensure legal action against the wrong doers and heavy compensation with rehabilitation of the victims with preventive measures.

Taking note of the petition, the Commission said it mentioned about  one incident of November, 2022 in which a Class 9th student was impregnated by the Sarpanch’s husband. Other incidents have also been mentioned in the complaint, the NHRC said, seeking an Action Taken Report on all the incidents mentioned in the complaint within eight weeks.

The petition further alleged that precautionary and corrective measures with punitive actions and rehabilitation of victims as per guidelines of Nirbhaya case and other applicable guidelines are not being satisfactorily implemented in the state.