Gangrape & Murder Of 13-yr-old Girl; NHRC Sends Notice To UP Chief Secretary & DGP, Seeks Detailed Report Within 6 Weeks

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter regarding gangrape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Lakhimpur Kheri, who belonged to the Scheduled Caste. On August 15, she had gone to relieve herself on a farm land that happened to belong to one of the accused. She was reportedly tortured before being strangled to death.

The Commission has sought the report in six weeks and disbursement of statutory relief to the victim's family as per the provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

NHRC noted how it is mentioned in a news report that although there is a toilet in the victim's house but it's not functional. The Commission's press release states-

"The Chief Secretary is also expected to sensitize the district authorities in the State to create awareness that the toilets should not be constructed for mere fulfillment of the government records, they are to be actually made functional."

The Commission forwarded a copy of the news item to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, which is the Nodal Ministry for the 'Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan' and noted-

"It is expected from the Ministry to issue guidelines to all the States and Union Territories to ensure that the toilets are not only constructed but also used to make the country clean and save the women from the heinous crimes committed by anti-social elements when they go out to relieve themselves. He is also expected to respond within 6 weeks."

According to the media reports, both the accused have been arrested by the police. The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kheri has stated that the FIR has been registered under relevant sections of IPC and POCSO Act. He has further added that the National Security Act will be slapped against the accused who were arrested by the police within a few hours after the incident.