BHRC takes strong exception to police inaction in Bhojpur acid attack

BIHAR HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIO

Speed Post News Network

Patna: Bihar Human Rights Commission (BHRC) has taken strong exception to the police inaction in an acid attack case at village Benwalia under Bihia police station in Bhojpur district and has asked the Bhojpur SP to fix responsibility for the inaction, take stern action and inform the commission by July 15, 2016. The commission said that the incident took place in September 2015 but he first arrest was made on April 14, 2016, after a gap of more than six months and other police action too followed intervention by BHRC.

Satish Kumar, son of Rameshwar Prasad, of village Benwalia under Bihia police station in Bhojpur district had complained  to the Commission in February 2016 about police inaction in an incident of acid attack  on the night of September 8, 2015, in which  his father, mother and sister were badly injured  and were under going  treatment  at Appolo hospital, Delhi.

BHRC member Neelmani said the commission had asked for a response from Bhojpur SP in March, 2016. Finding no response, the Commission directed SP, to send the  SDPO, Jagdispur with action taken report.  The SDPO  presented a report from SP, Bhojpur, indicating  that  the case was registered with Bihia PS and  three accused were found guilty after investigation. Accused Sujeet Kumar was arrested on April 14, 2016, while his father Abhay Kumar surrendered before the Court on March 8,2016 and  is in  jail.  Accused Jai Kishore Yadav, who was behind  this attack  to avenge  refusal  of the victim girl to his one sided love advances, was granted bail by the Patna High Court on May 3, 2016.

The report said that compensation granted  by DM, Bhojpur  at the rate of Rs  one lakh each to the victims had been deposited into the bank accounts of petitioner’s father and mother but the same could not be deposited into  the account of the victim girl as she did not have any  account in a bank.

The commission has sad that the Bihar government has formulated Victim Compensation Scheme, 2014. The scheme provides for payment of Rs. 3 lakh to the acid attack victim as after care and rehabilitation measure. The payment has to be  made by the  District Legal Services  Authority.  The victim of the acid attack has  to be paid Rs one lakh within fifteen days  of the information of occurrence. The rest Rs. 2,00,000 shall be paid within the two months from the aforesaid payment.  Health  department of Bihar government  had also issued a resolution on July 13, 2015, under which entire medical expenses including plastic surgery of the acid attack victim will be borne by the state government from Chief Minister Medical Relief Fund.

The BHRC has directed the Bhojpur SP to ensure quick submission  of Final Form in the case and request the court for speedy trial. It has also asked the Bhojpur DM to apprise the commission of payment of compensation and status of medical aid to the victim by July 15, 2016. The next hearing of the case is scheduled for July 19.