Rs.5 lakh for Rajasthan sexual assault victim

A two-year-old girl, sexually assaulted by a ward boy of a primary health centre in Madhya Pradesh, has been awarded five lakh rupees as monetary relief by the state government.

The girl was assaulted on March 15, 2013 in Shajapur district's Kanad town.

The money was given to the minor girl's parents after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) intervened in the matter.

Earlier, in response to the notices of the commission, the state government had held that the recommendation for payment of Rs.5 lakh as interim relief to the victim was not in accordance with the rules.

However, Justice D. Murugesan, member, NHRC, reiterating his recommendation to the state government, observed that the commission has special powers under the Protection of Human Rights Act to award appropriate relief.

He maintained the NHRC was not bound by the state government rules for compensation in such cases and therefore, it could not accept the propriety/justification of the report that the relief amount did not comply with the rules.

During the course of enquiry, the NHRC had found that the allegation of sexual assault was correct. The victim had come to the Primary Health Centre along with her mother and was assaulted there.

A criminal case was registered at Kanad police station. The accused was arrested and a chargesheet was filed in the court.