NHRC seeks report from Karnataka government in Bangalore rape case

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notices to Karnataka government over reports of the rape of a six-year-old in her school in Bangalore.

The Commission took suo moto cognizance of a media report that the six-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by two male staff in a private school at Bengaluru, Karnataka on July 2 this year. The sexual assault, according to the report, came to light after she complained of stomach ache and fever and the parents took the girl to a hospital.

"The contents of the media report raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of a child who was allegedly sexually assaulted by the teachers in her school. The act of the male staff attracts penal provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act," the Commission observed.

The Commission has sent the notice to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Government of Karnataka and District Collector, Bengaluru seeking for a report on the same within two weeks.

When asked about the six-year-old child's rape in a Bangalore school, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters on Tuesday, "Is this the only news we have?"