Muzaffarpur rape case: Child rights body takes suo motu cognizance

MUZAFFARPUR: National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is likely to issue notices to Bihar DGP Gupteshwar Pandey and chief secretary Deepak Kumar in connection with rape of a minor girl by two people, including a ‘maulavi; of a mosque, at Katra. The NCPCR has taken suo motu cognizance of the matter. Meanwhile, the accused ‘maulavi’ was arrested by the police on Saturday.

The NCPCR had summoned the investigating officer (IO) of the case and the district child protection officer (DCPO) to its New Delhi office on Friday, seeking details of the case and the measures taken for the welfare of the rape survivor, including her counselling.

The IO, Sabita Kumari, and the DCPO were directed to ensure free and fair investigation into the case apart from counselling of the 17-year-old girl so that she could overcome the trauma.

NCPCR member for laws related to children Yashwant Jain said, “They had come to my office. We are of the view that the police officers are trying to hide the facts in the case. I have also talked to Muzaffarpur SSP Jayant Kant over phone. The SSP said he had very little knowledge about the case as he joined his office only a week ago,” Jain said, adding that he will again hear the matter on Monday.

The minor girl had approached senior police officers, including the SSP, on November 10, seeking justice. The girl had alleged in her complaint that she was raped by the maulavi on January 16 and lodged an FIR on July 3. She claimed that she was getting repeated threats from a village panchayat, which ordered her family members to sell the baby boy she gave birth in September. She met senior police officers last Sunday, claiming that no action was being taken in the matter.

(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)