NHRC notices to the Uttar Pradesh Government over the reported sexual exploitation of 13 girls students by a Computer Instructor in a government school

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that a Computer Instructor sexually exploited girl students in a government school in Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Reportedly, allegedly 13 students of 12-16 years had become victims of sexual exploitation by him till the matter of brought to the notice of police by the parents, and he was arrested. The two other teachers have been suspended who despite being aware of the incident but did not take any action. The incident reportedly has shattered the confidence of girls.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of the human rights of the victim students. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report within 6 weeks in the matter including action taken against the perpetrators, the current status of the investigation, and the status of the counseling and statutory relief provided to the victim girl students.

The Commission would like to know the status of the compensation paid to the victims/ families so far and whether any counseling has been provided to the girl students who are reportedly scared and hesitant to attend the school, after the incident. The State Government is also expected to ensure that proper guidelines are issued to all the schools under their jurisdiction to make sure that there should not be any delay or attempt to conceal the facts of any untoward incident on the part of the school authorities to the police so that the perpetrators in such matters are nabbed without any delay.

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