Rs 25 lakh for hearing-impaired inmate of Nari Niketan rape victim

23.05.2018
The state high court on Wednesday directed the state government to pay compensation to the tune of Rs 25 lakh to the hearing-impaired inmate of Nari Niketan who was raped and forced to abort the baby in 2016. A PIL came up before Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice SK Sharma in connection with the condition of the inmates in Nari Neketan, especially in the light of rape and forced abortion and sexual exploitation of the inmates of Nari Niketan in Dehradun.

The judges recommended that a bank account be opened in the name of the inmate in which the compensation amount or pension could be credited every month. The judgment not only awarded compensation to the victim but also sought to address the broader issue of upkeep of shelter homes, observation homes set by the government or NGOs for children in need of care, directing the state government to follow the provisions laid down under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016.

Directions were also issued to the District Sessions Judge to conclude the sessions in the pending trial of the inmate who was raped within a period of six months by, “holding the trial on day-to-day basis.” Significantly, the trial in the rape case that began in 2016 is still pending.

The court also issued directions to the state government to establish and maintain, by itself or through voluntary or non-government organizations, open shelters in each district as per the requirement registered under Rule 22 for children who require care.

NIVH case: FIR ordered
The court also took cognisance of the matter (based on a letter written to the judge by the guardian of the victim) pertaining to the National Institute of Visually Handicapped (NIVH) where a visually challenged student was allegedly sexually exploited by his teacher. The DGP was directed to register an FIR against Ramesh Chandra Kashyap, music teacher of the NIVH and also complete the inquiry within three weeks. The NIVH management was also directed to suspend the teacher within immediate effect.