ATUL SHARMA
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Aug 24: The death of a minor tribal girl in Kishtwar has taken a fresh turn, with the Tribal Gujjar Bakkerwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) approaching the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), seeking intervention and action in the case.
In its complaint to the NCST, the foundation has sought registration of offences under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused, besides compensation, rehabilitation and protection for the victim's family and key witnesses.
The foundation has urged the commission to take cognisance of the matter as a serious complaint involving alleged atrocities against a member of the Scheduled Tribe community and monitor the investigation until its legal conclusion through periodic progress reports.
TGBWF has also requested the NCST to seek an Action Taken Report from the J&K Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other concerned authorities, particularly on why provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were not invoked, and what measures have been taken regarding the investigation, family protection, compensation and rehabilitation.
According to the complaint, the minor girl was allegedly sexually abused on multiple occasions by Khalid Hussain, who was reportedly her teacher and headmaster at a government school.
An FIR has been registered against Khalid Hussain and his brother Tariq Hussain under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
T v The foundation has contended that since the deceased girl belonged to the Scheduled Tribe community, provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should also be examined and invoked.
v TGBWF has urged authorities to immediately preserve all relevant evidence, including viral videos, electronic communications, call records, financial transaction documents, school records, medical and investigation reports, doctors' prescriptions, pharmacy records and medicines.
v The foundation has also sought an inquiry into whether any school official, doctor, panchayat member or other person having knowledge of the alleged abuse failed to report the matter to the authorities in time.
v It has further urged the authorities to examine whether there was any lapse in complying with mandatory reporting requirements under the POCSO Act.
TGBWF has urged authorities to immediately preserve all relevant evidence, including viral videos, electronic communications, call records, financial transaction documents, school records, medical and investigation reports, doctors' prescriptions, pharmacy records and medicines.
The foundation has also sought an inquiry into whether any school official, doctor, panchayat member or other person having knowledge of the alleged abuse failed to report the matter to the authorities in time.
It has further urged the authorities to examine whether there was any lapse in complying with mandatory reporting requirements under the POCSO Act.
Highlighting the alleged economic and social vulnerability of the victim's family and their displacement, the foundation has sought adequate security for the girl's parents, siblings and key witnesses.
It has also urged the NCST to ensure that the family receives compensation and rehabilitation benefits available under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act at the earliest.
In addition, TGBWF has sought any other financial assistance or relief available to the family under applicable laws relating to sexual offences against children.
The foundation has urged the NCST to closely monitor the investigation and ensure that all aspects of the case are examined in a fair and time-bound manner. |
