The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has take suo motu cognisance of the reported sexual abuse of a girl belonging to the Scheduled Caste in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala and arrest of 44 people so far out of 59 accused in the 30 FIRs in the matter. Reportedly, two of the accused are absconding abroad and remaining 13 others are yet to be arrested.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of the human rights violation of the victim girl. Therefore, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Kerala calling for a detailed report in the matter. It is expected to include the status of the FIR, her health and the medical care, counseling and compensation, if any provided to her in the reported matter within two weeks.
According to the media report, carried on 15th January, 2025, the girl, who is now 18 years old, has reportedly alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by several individuals. The matter came to light during counseling conducted by the Child Welfare Committee, after the victim’s teachers at an educational institution, informed the panel about noticeable changes in her behaviour.
