Kendrapada: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Jajpur District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police to submit an action-taken report (ATR) within four weeks on the payment of monetary compensation to a 13-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assault ed by her school headmaster.
The apex rights body passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Kendrapada-based human rights defender Sagar Jena, who sought the commission’s intervention to ensure compensation for the minor survivor in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and its Rules.
According to the petition, the incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Jajpur Sadar Police Station April 17, 2025.
The complainant alleged that the headmaster sexually harassed the Class VIII student after asking her to collect a file from the school office.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, the NHRC had, Ju ly 25, 2025, issued a notice to the Jajpur SP, directing him to conduct an inquiry into the allegations and submit an ATR within four weeks.
In compliance with the commission’s directions, the SP submitted a report based on the findings of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Jajpur.
The report stated that following a written complaint lodged by the victim’s mother April 21, 2025, Jajpur Sadar Police registered a case under Sections 74 and 75 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), read with Section 8 of the POCSO Act, against the accused headmaster.
During the investigation, the investigating officer recorded the statements of the minor survivor and other witnesses under the relevant provisions of the BNS.
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The victim’s statement was also recorded before the court under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The accused headmaster was arrested April 23, 2025, and produced before the court on the same day.
The police informed the NHRC that the investigation is still in progress and the final form (chargesheet) has not yet been submitted.
After examining the police report, the NHRC observed that while criminal proceedings had been initiated under the relevant provisions of the BNS and the POCSO Act, the report was silent on whether monetary relief had been provided to the minor survivor as mandated under the POCSO Act and its Rules.
Observing this omission, the rights panel directed the District Magistrate and the Jajpur SP to submit a detailed ATR within four weeks specifically on the issue of providing compensation to the victim.
