A social activist today moved a local court seeking action against chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes for allegedly making public the names of two rape victims.
Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Amitvir, fixed April 1 as the date for recording the statement of the applicant.
Rani Kannaujia, social worker and former head of Haidergarh block, claimed in her petition that Punia had sanctioned a financial aid of Rs two lakhs each for the two rape victims of Kannauj.
Punia called the two women to Barabanki from Kannauj on February 24 and got a picture clicked with them while handing over the cheques, the petitioner said, adding that the picture was published in newspapers along with their real names.
"This act of Punia has caused immense humiliation to women, specially those belonging to the scheduled castes so a legal action needed to be taken against him," the petition said.
After hearing the counsel of Kannaujia, the court accepted the plea and fixed April 1 for recording the statement.
Meanwhile, Punia when contacted, said that the photo was taken for the Ambedkar foundation records as required but his staff "erroneously" issued a press note and picture.
"I have already accepted this mistake," Punia said.
