Higher officials spared in Nari Niketan case: NCW member

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, January 19

Member of the National Commission for Woman (NCW) Rekha Sharma here today expressed dissatisfaction at the inquiry initiated by the Uttarakhand government in the rape and subsequent forced abortion of a speech and hearing impaired inmate of the Nari Niketan. She said the government had spared higher officials without whose alleged involvement the incident could not have taken place.

“There are several loopholes that need to be investigated. An incident of this magnitude could not have taken place without the involvement of higher officials. But none have been punished. How can they go scot free,” said Sharma.

Rekha emphasized that the commission had taken a suo motu decision to visit the Nari Niketan and would present its report in a month’s time. “I think the commission as an independent body is capable enough to present its report based on its findings. If need be, a CBI inquiry could be recommended,” she said.

She said despite the Uttarakhand government’ s claim of action having been taken in the aftermath of the incident , there was hardly any improvement at Nari Niketan. “The government should put in place trained staff to look into the needs of mentally challenged and mentally unstable inmates. First of all the normal inmates should be kept apart, instead they have been deployed to look after the ill without getting paid, it is an exploitation of a worst kind,” she said.

The member also said that the government should ensure that a doctor and a nurse are permanently deployed the Nari Niketan.