PIL seeks action against cops, accused

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 9

A human rights organisation today moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court for action against the “culprits” allegedly involved in the harassment of two sisters in a Haryana Roadways bus. Action has also been sought against the roadways staff and the police.

The Lawyers for Human Rights International has also asked the High Court to take judicial cognizance of the news items on harassment of the two sisters. The court has also been asked to seek a report on the incident from Haryana, besides reports from Punjab and Chandigarh on the implementation of suggestions on the safety of commuters.

Describing the incident as condemnable, the organisation in its plea through counsel Navkiran Singh asserted that Haryana had apparently been filing affidavits in the High Court “without any sense of responsibility”.

“It is in the public interest that this incident should be treated with utmost sensitivity and importance and action should be taken against the culprits, Haryana Roadways staff as well as the SHO of the police station concerned, who took the matter in a very casual manner”.

Navkiran Singh claimed his earlier petition filed in public interest on the issue was disposed of vide an order dated July 18, 2014. But effective steps were not been taken by the states. “The recent incident of Haryana clearly shows that neither the driver nor the conductor offered any help to the girls, who were sexually harassed by the boys. They also did not make any effort to take the bus to the nearest police station or to report the matter to the nearest police station.

Taking up the plea, the High Court today issued notice of motion to Haryana.