NHRC issues notice to Haryana, WB govts on church attack, nun rape case

Christian nuns pray as they hold a candle light vigil to condemn the gang rape of a nun at a Christian missionary school in eastern India outside the Sacred Heart cathedral in New Delhi, India, on Monday. (Source: PTI photo)

National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday issued notices to Haryana and West Bengal governments asking them to send reports on desecration of an under-construction church in Hisar (Haryana) and the alleged gangrape of a nun in West Bengal respectively.

According to an official statement released on Wednesday, the commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of both the states calling for reports within two weeks.

The notices were served after the commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that an under construction Church in Hisar district of Haryana was attacked on March 15. They have also been directed to report what steps were being taken for the protection of religious places of minorities in Haryan, it said.

Police had registered a case against 14 people in this connection and the main accused Anil Godara was arrested yesterday from Hisar and taken on remand.

An under-construction church in Kaimri village near Hisar was vandalised by a group and the cross replaced with an idol of Hanuman on Sunday, triggering tension in the area.

The complainant, Father Subhash Chand of Williwarsh church, stated that the group fragmented the cross and installed the statue of Hanuman and a flag depicting Lord Ram and threatened to kill him.

Another notice to WB govt was issued after the commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that a 71-year-old nun was raped by a gang of seven dacoits inside a Convent in Gangnapur village of Nadia district in West Bengal on March 14.

Reportedly, the victim along with another nun tried to thwart the robbery attempt on the premises of the Convent. However, the dacoits tied up the other nun and raped the victim in front of her. They also decamped with Rs 12 lakh with 10 to 12 lakh rupees in cash.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, amount to serious violation of human rights of victim.

A CID probe was ordered into the incident.

The District SP had announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to any individual providing credible information leading to the arrest of the accused.

Source:: Indian Express