Kendrapara: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served notice on Ganjam District Magistrate and superintendent of police directing them to submit a report on the health status of an acid attack victim, details of treatment provided, the criminal case and benefits extended to her under social welfare programmes of the state government.
Acting on a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC directed the Ganjam district authorities to submit report of compliance within eight weeks.
The petitioner said three persons entered the victim’s Gangapur house on the night of September 4, 2016 before throwing acid on her face as she was asleep and fled.
A probe found that the state authorities failed to protect girls and women and ignored guidelines and safety measures prescribed by the courts for acid attack victims.
As per NHRC directions, the state authorities informed the apex court that a criminal case (FIR No. 129/2016, PS Badagada, under Sections 427, 459, 326 (A) and 506 of IPC dated September 4, 2016) was registered against the victim’s cousin and his accomplice.
The accused were arrested and charge-sheeted. The victim was being provided free treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, and the SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack.
A compensation of Rs 3,00,000 was paid to the victim under the Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme, 2012, and proof of payment was forwarded.
The District Magistrate and Ganjam superintendent of police have submitted reports of compensation paid as per Odisha Victim Compensation Scheme, 2017, and documentation regarding treatment arranged by them for the victim, including grant of referral certificate for specialised treatment as the victim suffered 25 per cent burns.
PNN