BHUBANESWAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from director general of police (DGP) of Odisha, regarding several incidents of pregnancy of minor girls in different schools across the state.
It has asked for the report within four weeks.
The commission passed this order on June 14 after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy on December 16, 2019, on teen pregnancies in schools especially in residential ones.
The petitioner alleged that minor girls belonging to SC and ST categories have faced sexual exploitation in some residential schools.
After the commission’s direction, the state government had submitted a report on this issue on October 7 last year.
It has given detailed information regarding three cases that occurred in Dhenkanal, Koraput and Kandhamal districts.
A tribal girl student studying in Saptasajya Ashram School in Dhenkanal district was found seven months pregnant on January 17, 2019, during a medical check-up by the school authorities.
The girl had developed physical relations with her sister-in-law’s younger brother while she was at her home in Jajpur during summer vacation.
In Koraput case, the headmaster of a residential school at Balda in Koraput district had impregnated a class IX tribal girl student studying in the same school.
A criminal case had been registered on October 1, 2017 and the accused was arrested the very next day.
The headmaster was placed under suspension.
Disciplinary action has been taken against the accused and other staff of the school.
Compensation has been paid to the girl, said the report.
In Kandhamal district case, one class VIII tribal girl student studying in a school at Daringbadi in Kandhamal district had delivered a baby girl at the school on January 12, 2019.
But the baby could not survive.
She had developed a physical relationship with a tribal boy from her area while she was at her home during the summer vacation.
The government had taken stringent action against the staff for negligence of duty.
The Commission has not received the action taken report in cases of Nabarangapur, Malkangiri, Kendrapada, Jajpur and Kalahandi districts mentioned in the complaint.
Therefore, DGP Odisha has been directed to submit the action taken report in these cases within four weeks.
Dhenkanal district collector has been directed to ensure the payment of compensation amount of Rs 7 lakh to the victim and submit the proof of payment within four weeks.
The petitioner expressed unhappiness over the reply of the government.
He pointed out discrimination in government’s payment of compensation to victims.
“The government in the report said the accused in the Koraput case is staying with the victim with consent.
But consent is impermissible,” he added.