High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognizance of Madhya Pradesh Government's Failure To Support POCSO Survivor's Education
On Friday, the Indore branch of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, taking note of a Times of India news report highlighting the plight of a POCSO survivor facing harassment in her educational journey despite assurances from the State, took suo moto cognizance of the situation and instructed the Government Advocate to bring it to the attention of the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya...
On Friday, the Indore branch of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, taking note of a Times of India news report highlighting the plight of a POCSO survivor facing harassment in her educational journey despite assurances from the State, took suo moto cognizance of the situation and instructed the Government Advocate to bring it to the attention of the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Principal Secretary of the Department of School Education, and the Collector.
According to the news report, the survivor and her elder sister were admitted to a private school in Indore by the government in 2018. The school recently sent a Rs 14 lakh dues notice to the Indore collector and district education department, with a copy sent to the family for 'information'. Despite the then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's announcement that the state would cover her educational expenses, the school claims it has not received any payment since 2019.
In response to the shocking state of affairs, the division bench of Chief Justice Ravi Malimath And Justice Vijay Kumar Shukla, in its Order noted, “The Times of India, Indore edition dated 01.02.2024 reported a news item with regard to the pitiable state of a child rape survivor and as to how she is undergoing harassment in spite of the assurance given by the State. It is a rather shocking state of affairs.”
“Therefore, the Government Advocate is directed to take notice for the Chief Secretary, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Principal Secretary, Department of School Education as well as the Collector,” the Court added.
The Court also directed the Registry to issue notice to the school namely Vidyasagar School, Bicholi Mardana, Indore.
The matter has now been listed on 05.02.2024 for further hearing.