WEB DESK
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh over reports that 57 minor girls were found COVID positive at a State run Shelter Home in Kanpur. Five of them have been found pregnant and one HIV positive. The Commission in a statement said, reportedly, the girls were exhibiting symptoms of COVID 19 for some time but there was delay in taking them to the hospital for tests.
Taking suo motu cognizance of media reports it issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter including health status of all the girls, their medical treatment and counselling provided to them by the authorities. The NHRC said, the State Government is also expected to order an inquiry into the matter from an independent agency. The State is also expected to review health status of the female inmates lodged in shelter homes, across the State and issue suitable directives that such incidents do not recur in future.
The Commission also issued a notice to the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh calling for a report regarding registration of FIR in this matter and status of investigation. The Commission has sought response from both of them within four weeks.
The Commission observed that the contents of the media report, if true, are enough to prima facie believe that the public servants have failed to safeguard the victim girls and, apparently, were negligent in protecting their right to life, liberty and dignity in the custody of the State.