Nirbhaya case: NHRC issues notice to Centre and Delhi Govt.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notice to Centre and Delhi Government on complaint apprehending threat to society from the juvenile post his release.

NHRC has taken cognizance of a complaint received from the parents of 'Nirbhaya' who was brutally gang raped and murdered on 16th December, 2012 here in the national capital.

The Commission observed that 'there is no doubt that the complainants have undergone extreme agony and pain after the incident of rape and murder of their daughter. The fears expressed by them need to be looked into.'

Accordingly, it has issued notices with a copy of the complaint to the Secretary, Govt. of National Capital Territory of Delhi, the Commissioner of Police, Delhi and the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India calling for reports in the matter within two weeks.

Nirbhaya's parents, in their complaint, had stated that the juvenile, who was largely responsible for the death of their daughter and was the most brutal amongst all the offenders, is supposed to be released sometime in December.

They have submitted that such persons are threat to the life and liberty of the common man. There should be a mechanism to keep a strict check on them so that people are not subjected to any risk of being harmed. The laws dealing with women and children should be strengthened. The complainants have also stated that the rate of recidivism (committing crimes again) is fairly high.

The complainants have requested the Commission to recommend to the Government to prepare a plan to protect the citizens from such delinquent juveniles post their release and also to strengthen the extant laws on the subject. The complainants have also cited the SORNA (Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act) which operates in countries such as USA, Canada and others. They have stated that similar law should be made operational in India.

The complainants have also made a representation to the Home Minister, Govt. of India on the same subject. A copy of the representation has been submitted to the Commission along with the complaint.