Bihar govt gave compensation to 49 abuse survivors, says NHRC

Amounts ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh have been handed over to 49 survivors of sexual abuse at a shelter in Muzaffarpur

R. Balaji   |   TT  |  New Delhi   |   27.01.22  :  The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said the Bihar government has informed it that compensation amounts ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh have been handed over to 49 survivors of sexual abuse at a shelter in Muzaffarpur.

In a statement, the commission said that as per the action-taken report submitted to it by the state, an FIR was registered on May 31, 2018, under Sections 120B, 376 and 34 (rape, criminal conspiracy and common intention) of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act

The investigation was later transferred to the CBI. The chargesheet names 20 people, of whom 19 were convicted by the trial court at Saket in New Delhi.

The NHRC had earlier registered a case of human rights violation in connection with the sexual abuse of minor girls on the basis of a complaint filed on November 29, 2018. Besides directing action against those responsible for the crime, the NHRC had told the Bihar government to provide adequate compensation to the survivors.

The Saket trial court had also recommended compensation to the survivors.

The commission has been informed that the registration of the NGO that ran the Muzaffarpur Balika Grah had been cancelled and the shelter demolished in compliance with court orders.

The investigation of the case was monitored by the Supreme Court and the trial court concluded the hearing within a stipulated period, the NHRC said.