'Pay interim relief to four sexually harassed minor girls'

The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Puducherry government to pay an interim relief of Rs one lakh to each of the four minor girls who were allegedly sexually exploited by 18 persons, including nine police officials about three months back.
This decision was taken at the concluding day of the three -day camp by NHRC to look into various pending cases in the Union Territory.
The commission noted that the 18 persons, including nine police officials, were dismissed from service and had been charge sheeted.
"On finding the seriousness of the matter involving sexual exploitation of four minor girls, the Commission directed the Puducherry government to pay Rs one lakh to each of the four girls," an NHRC release said here today.

The Chief Secretary was directed to submit a compliance report in the case within eight weeks, it said.
The three-member Commission, headed by Justice D Murugesan, visited the Central Prison here and also hospitals in addition to holding meetings with members and functionaries of NGOs and senior government officials.

The Commission took up for discussion 'Visakha Guidelines on bonded labour, trafficking, sexual harassment at the work place, disability issues, vacancy of doctors in government hospitals, issues relating to police, police 'inaction,' illegal detention, false implication, custodial torture and also prison matters, the release said.
It referred to the death of a person allegedly in police custody on November 11, 2011, saying a criminal case had been registered against 'delinquent' police personnel, who were charge sheeted. "The death occurred on account of negligence of the officials", it said.

The NHRC commended Rs three lakh be paid as interim relief to next of kin of the deceased. The Chief Secretary was directed to submit a compliance report in six weeks.
The Commission closed nine cases after getting requisite report or comments from authorities or petitioners. Fresh or further reports were called for in respect of 15 cases, the release said.