NHRC issues notices on Rajasthan girls' auction on stamp paper

Jaipur: Following the media reports of teenage girls being auctioned on stamp papers, the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice addressing the Rajasthan government.

Girls aged 8 to 18 were reportedly auctioned to settle disputes, such as and in case of refusal, their mothers were subjected to rape to settle them on the diktats of Caste Panchayat in Rajasthan, reports suggested, Asian News International reported.

A press release stated that NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the media reports.

Media reports brought out that the girls who were auctioned were sent to UP, MP, Mumbai, Delhi and even foreign countries. They were subjected to sexual abuse, torture and slavery. The reports narrated many of the survivors who had gone through the ill fate.

The NHCR said that if the media reports are found true, they are severe human rights violations. It served notice to the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan demanding a detailed report on the matter, action is taken report, measures taken, and if not, those proposed to taken to prevent such horrendous crimes.

The NHRC sought that the report must explain how the state government is ensuring that the Gram Panchayat functions as per the Constitution, eradicating caste-based systems.

The Director General of Police, Rajasthan, was served with a notice for a detailed report on beginning criminal prosecution against the criminals, abettors and sympathisers of the mentioned crimes.

The DGP also sought to include the status of cases, including the registration of FIRs, charge-sheet, arrests, etc., in such incidents. Also, the mechanism launched by the police to catch those involved in the flesh trade in the state and the steps proposed to be taken against public servants who neglected the prevention of such incidents, the release stated.

The NHRC expects a reply from both the Chief Secretary and DGP in four weeks.

Further, the NHRC sought its Special Rapporteur to visit the affected areas in Rajasthan, inspect the places and submit a comprehensive report on the incidents not later than three months.