Builder fined Rs 2 lakh for not providing shelter to rape victim's kin

Setting an example in providing relief to rape victims, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of east Delhi has imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the builder, at whose site a six-year-old rape victim was living. Neelam Pandey reports.

Setting an example in providing relief to rape victims, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of east Delhi has imposed a fine of Rs 2 lakh on the builder, at whose site a six-year-old rape victim was living.

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Within 10 days of the incident, the CWC fined the builder, stating that he had failed to follow the labour law. As per law, it is mandatory to provide shelter to labourers. Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has also been asked to inspect construction sites in the city to check whether safety provisions regarding such families are being met.

The committee has ordered the builder to pay Rs 2,260 immediately to the family as interim relief. The remaining two lakh will be paid through a demand draft.

As per the order, the builder is bound to submit a demand draft of Rs 2 lakh to the CWC by May 8.

"Subsequently, the demand draft will be handed over to the father. The 80% amount will be fixed for 12 years for the welfare of the victim," said Ajay Singh, chairperson of east CWC.

"We will also be finalising the rehabilitation plan for Gandhi Nagar and Farsh Bazar rape victims. In the Seemapuri case, it was clear that the family of the victim and other labourers were not provided separate accommodation," he added.

The inquiry conducted by the CWC revealed that the family was living in the building itself which was under construction. The committee has lambasted Delhi government's DUSIB for failing to put safety provisions in place for labourers and their families.

"DUSIB, which is responsible for supervising these provisions, never inspected the work site or take note of it. The father, mother and the elder sister of the victim were working at the site. They were being paid Rs 250 per day, Rs 200 per day and Rs 230 respectively against the prescribed minimum daily wage of Rs 279 per day before April 2013. The wages were revised in April to Rs 297 per day," Singh added.