NHRC notice to Jharkhand govt over pregnancy of school girl

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Jharkhand government over reports of a class VI girl becoming pregnant and then allegedly forced by the school authorities to go for an abortion in Garhwa district.
The Commission, taking suo motu cognisance of the report, has issued the notice to the Chief Secretary of the state and sought a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.
"He has also been asked to inform the Commission about the steps taken for relief, medical care and proper counselling of the victim girl," the NHRC today said in a statement.
"According to the report, carried on January 29, the incident happened on January 24, and her family was informed two days later. The school authorities remained tightlipped about the incident," the Commission said.

Reportedly, the police authorities have said that punitive action will be taken if the victim's family lodges a complaint.
"However, the District Education Superintendent has stated that a probe is on and the truth will come out to the fore. The victim was in trauma and not in a position of speak," the NHRC said.

The girl student belongs to Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidayalaya, a state-run residential school for girls in Garhwa district. "She became pregnant and was forced to consume abortion pills by the school administration to prevent the institution from falling into disrepute," the statement said.
"However, as the medicine was given without consulting a doctor, the girl's condition worsened to an extent that she had to be rushed to the Garhwa Sadar Hospital where she was found two-month pregnant. Doctors carried out a proper abortion to save her life," it added.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the report are not only "shocking but painful", but the victim girl's "rights to life, dignity and medical care have been violated due to the negligent and irrational act of the school authorities".