NHRC notices to Delhi, cops over blind school rapes

The NHRC has sent notices to the Delhi government and the police chief following an HT report that said the Institution for the Blind in Amar Colony had hushed up rape of two class 3 students by a teacher and the cops had failed to file a case.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Delhi government and the police chief following an HT report that said the Institution for the Blind in Amar Colony had hushed up rape of two class 3 students by a teacher and the cops had failed to file a case.

Taking cognisance of the report, the NHRC has directed Delhi government social welfare secretary Dr Satbir Bedi and police commissioner BS Bassi to provide answers within two weeks.

According to the HT report, published on November 8, the sexual assault happened on Children’s Day, November 14, last year. Two days after the incident, the victims along with several other kids who had been assaulted by the teacher, wrote to the vice-principal.

Instead of filing a complaint -- as is the norm -- the V-P called the police.

In front of the cops, the V-P served the teacher with a show cause notice and the police did not investigate the matter further – a violation of the child protection act. The institution filed a complaint only nine months later, after the alleged perpetrator signed a confession and two of the school’s panel also indicted him.

The NHRC observed that if the report is true it raises serious concerns about violation of childrens’ rights.