Guwahati case: Lamba removed from NCW panel

Congress leader Alka Lamba was today removed from a fact-finding team of National Women's Commission, which looked into the case of molestation of a 17-year-old girl in Guwahati, for making public the victim's identity.

Congress leader Alka Lamba was on Monday removed from a fact-finding team of National Women's Commission (NCW), which looked into the case of molestation of a 17-year-old girl in Guwahati, for making public the victim's identity.

Lamba had gone to Guwahati as part of an NCW team and during a press meet made public the victim's name, leading to condemnation from various people, including BJP's Smriti Irani who said it was violation of Supreme Court directives.

"We have removed Lamba from the team. She was one of the members of the fact-finding team. It was wrong on her part to publicise the name of the victim. That is the reason she was removed," NCW chairperson Mamta Sharma told PTI.

Earlier in the day, Lamba, said they were preparing a report on the issue.

"We should not be in a hurry because it is really a sensitive issue. We should give as much time to this. So that we can reach some conclusion and catch hold of the culprits," she said.

"Assam Police have assured us that they will take strict action," she said.

The teenager was assaulted when she came out of a bar in the heart of the city on July 9. Eight persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.