Kendrapara, May 2: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Kalahandi SP on the alleged gang rape of two minor girls by four men at Bengaon village under Lanjigarh Police limits.
The SP was directed to get the allegations made in the complaint, looked into and to submit the Action Taken Report within four weeks.
The NHRC passed the order on Monday while acting on the petition filed by Rights Activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
The petitioner alleged that on the intervening night of 24 April 2023, two minor girls were allegedly gang raped by four men at Bengaon village under Kalahandi’s Lanjigarh Police limits.
As per reports, the minor girls were returning home, after watching a play in the night when the accused attacked them midway.
Though the identity of the accused is yet to be ascertained, it is suspected that they belong to the nearby Pajibahali village.
The police permission for organising Jatra and patrolling in the nearby area could have prevented such an incident, the petitioner stated.
He said an FIR was registered, after family members of the victims, lodged complaints at Bijepur Police Station.
The gang rape of the two minor tribal girls, Tripathy said violates the serious human rights of the victims girls. They have not yet been counselled nor compensated with psycho-social counselling and other rehabilitation measures, he alleged.
Tripathy requested the NHRC for an Independent and impartial investigation of the incident, legal action against the accused, adequate compensation with rehabilitation to the victim with all social welfare schemes, preventive action for future.
“Let the complaint be transmitted to the SP, Kalahandi, Odisha, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint, looked into and to submit an Action Taken Report within four weeks, for perusal of the Commission, ” the order said.
A copy of the proceedings has been marked to the DGP, Odisha.
