Latest news with #HaryanaHumanRightsCommission
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Assault' on Class 11 student: Rights panel directs Jhajjar SP to submit report in 4 weeks
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken a suo-moto cognisance of the incident of alleged physical assault by a Jhajjar private school teacher on a Class 11 student and has directed the superintendent of police (SP) to investigate the matter. The panel has also directed the SP to submit a report within four weeks and has asked the district education officer to conduct an institutional audit of the school. As per information, the student sustained a fracture in the arm due to assault and was later admitted to the hospital run by the same educational group. When the family reached the hospital, they were also subjected to intimidation and misconduct by the staff. Right panel chairperson justice Lalit Batra and other two members— Kuldeep Jain and Deep Bhatia— observed that the facts disclosed suggests serious violations of fundamental and human rights enshrined under the Constitution of India, particularly the right to life and personal liberty under Article 2, which encompasses dignity, mental well-being, and protection from abuse. 'The commission noted that this is not an isolated incident of violence but points to a systemic failure in ensuring student safety and monitoring staff conduct. Reports of intimidation faced by the victim's family further aggravate the seriousness of the matter,' the right panel said, adding such behaviour undermines trust in educational institutions and damages the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship. The panel also expressed concern over the physical and emotional trauma suffered by the student. 'The commission observed that the incident violates Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which prohibit cruelty and corporal punishment against children. Moreover, it contravenes Articles 19 and 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which call for safeguarding children from all forms of physical or mental violence and ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. The matter demands immediate and thorough investigation to protect the rights of the victim and ensure accountability,' justice Batra said in the order. Justice Batra also directed the Jhajjar superintendent of police to investigate the matter fairly in a time-bound manner under his own supervision and submit the report within four weeks. Moreover, he also directed the Jhajjar district education officer to conduct an urgent institutional audit of the concerned school. 'The audit will find out whether the educational institute has adopted a child protection policy or not, functioning of grievance redressal mechanisms exist for students and parents or not and whether the internal disciplinary mechanisms for staff misconduct are effectively implemented or not. The next hearing is fixed on July 8,' read the order.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Indian Express
Haryana school student's hand fractured in assault by teacher, human rights panel calls it ‘systemic failure'
The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) Friday issued directions to conduct a thorough audit of a private school in the Jhajjar district in the wake of a school teacher allegedly assaulting a Class 11 student and leaving with him a fractured hand on May 15. The Jhajjar police booked the teacher, Sonu alias R S Rathor, based on the complaint of the student's father, an ex-servicemen settled in Gurgaon. The FIR was registered the same day against the teacher under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. The student was admitted to a hospital run by the same educational group. The student's family was also allegedly mistreated and intimidated by the school staff when they visited the hospital to take care of their injured child. Taking suo motu cognisance, the HHCR termed the incident 'not only physical violence but also mental trauma and institutional negligence, constituting a serious violation of the fundamental rights of children'. The full panel of the HHRC, comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain, and Deep Bhatia, expressed deep concern over the 'physical and emotional trauma' suffered by the student. The HHRC noted, 'This is not an isolated incident of violence but points to a systemic failure in ensuring student safety and monitoring staff conduct. Reports of intimidation faced by the victim's family further aggravate the seriousness of the matter. Such behaviour undermines trust in educational institutions and damages the sanctity of the teacher-student relationship. Therefore, the Commission deemed it necessary to implement immediate corrective, protective, and preventive measures'. Justice Batra expressed the Commission's preliminary view saying that 'the reported facts indicate a serious violation of the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which encompasses dignity, mental well-being, and protection from abuse'. 'The incident also clearly violates Sections 75 and 82 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, which prohibit cruelty and corporal punishment against children. Moreover, it contravenes Articles 19 and 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which call for safeguarding children from all forms of physical or mental violence and ensuring a safe and supportive learning environment. The matter demands immediate and thorough investigation to protect the rights of the victim and ensure accountability,' Justice Batra added. Without expressing any opinion on the merits of the investigation in the case, HHRC issued directions to the superintendent of police (Jhajjar) to ensure 'investigation is conducted fairly, transparently and in a time-bound manner under his direct supervision'. In the order pronounced on May 23 and released Monday, the HHRC sought a status report, including statements of relevant parties and medical records, within four weeks. The HHRC also directed the district education officer (Jhajjar) to 'conduct an urgent institutional audit of the concerned school to examine whether a functional child protection policy is in place, whether grievance redressal mechanisms exist for students and parents; and whether internal disciplinary mechanisms for staff misconduct are effectively implemented'. Dr Puneet Arora, protocol, information and public relations officer of the HHRC, said, 'The Commission has viewed this incident as a reflection of the deepening disorder in educational institutions. It is not merely about one student, but calls into question the accountability of the entire educational system,' adding that the next hearing is scheduled for July 8.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Admin failure': Haryana rights panel pulls up power dept after differently abled man electrocuted
Gurgaon: Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) this week pulled up the power department and Sonipat officials for "dereliction of duty" and "administrative failure" over the death of a differently abled man, who was electrocuted after he accidentally touched an unfenced transformer. The commission, while hearing the case on May 19, ordered the state govt to give compensation to the man's family and recommended the power department to conduct a time-bound and independent inquiry to identify lapses. It said that disciplinary and/or legal action must be initiated against officials who installed the transformer without proper safety provisions. Rajneesh, a Sonipat resident with 81% disabilities, died after he came in contact with a transformer along GT Road on Jan 11 this year. There were no protective barriers or warnings, Rajneesh's uncle Ranbir said in a complaint to HHRC. Justice Lalit Batra of the commission observed that the case represented a "grave violation" of the Right to Life and Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. "Negligence and inaction of public authorities… undermined the constitutional and statutory protections available to citizens — especially vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities," Justice Batra said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "The death of Rajneesh due to reckless installation and neglect of public utility infrastructure was preventable and unacceptable in a rights-based society," the commission noted. To prevent such incidents, HHRC said the power department should carry out a district-wise audit of transformers and high-voltage equipment in public and residential areas. The audits must include proper fencing or barricading around all transformers, installation of visible warning signs and hazard indicators, verification of overhead clearance and removal of low-hanging wires, maintenance and inspection records, and emergency response systems in case of similar accidents, it said. Dr Puneet Arora, public relations officer of HHRC, said on Wednesday that the panel has asked Sonipat police chief to submit a status report on FIR and investigation into the case. "Likewise, the Sonipat deputy commissioner has been instructed to report on the disbursement of compensation to the victim's family," Arora said. The commission will take up the case next on July 30.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
45 kidnapping cases a day, rights panel seeks report from top cop in Haryana
Gurgaon: An average of more than 45 people disappear each day across the state. Alarmed at the high number of cases of missing persons, kidnappings and homicides across Haryana — over 4,100 individuals went missing in the first quarter of 2025 alone — Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has directed its director (investigation) to seek a detailed report from the director general of police (DGP). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The DGP has been given eight weeks to submit the report. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on July 31. The report must outline the status of all missing, kidnapping and murder cases from 2021 to 2025, including age-specific data, progress of investigations and preventive measures undertaken by the authorities, an HHRC official said. Taking a suo moto cognizance, a full bench — comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia — in its order recently said, "The failure of prompt and effective action by law enforcement agencies fosters an environment where organised crime flourishes, posing grave threats to societal peace and the rule of law." HHRC's protocol, information and public relations officer Dr Puneet Arora said that based on the facts presented before it, the commission considers this a matter requiring urgent intervention, administrative review and accountability. "The inability of law enforcement agencies to respond promptly and effectively facilitates the rise of organised criminal activities, leading to a climate of fear and lawlessness," the commission said. More than 1,000 cases of kidnapping were registered during the same period, alongside a notable rise in incidents of murder and culpable homicide compared to previous years. The commission observed the situation prima facie indicates a grave violation of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, personal liberty, safety and legal protection as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and relevant provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The surge in such crimes suggests a failure by the state to uphold rights enshrined in UDHR Articles 3 (Right to life, liberty, and security), 7 (Equality before the law), 9 (Freedom from arbitrary detention), and 12 (Protection of family life and privacy). Families of the missing endure intense psychological distress, exacerbated by the uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones, the commission said. "Even when individuals are eventually found, reintegration into normal life remains a significant challenge for both the victims and their families," it said.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Haryana human rights body seeks report on spike in abductions
Gurugram: Alarmed by the sharp spike in the number of missing people and kidnapping cases across Haryana, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has taken suo moto cognizance of the matter and issued a notice to the state's top police officer, officials aware of the development said. The HHRC has asked its director (investigation) to obtain a detailed report from the Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Singh Kapur (Haryana). The report must provide the status of missing persons, kidnappings, and homicide cases from 2021 to 2025, including age-wise data, investigative progress, and steps taken for prevention. The DGP has been given eight weeks to submit the report. The commission's action follows a news report published on April 22 highlighting that over 4,100 people had gone missing in the first quarter of 2025 alone—an average of more than 45 people each day. More than 1,000 kidnapping cases were also registered during the same period, alongside a surge in incidents of murder and culpable homicide. Terming the figures, a serious breach of public safety, the commission—comprising chairperson Justice Lalit Batra, and members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia—stated that the situation amounts to prima facie violations of fundamental human rights, particularly the right to life, liberty, and personal security under Article 21 of the Constitution and Articles 3, 7, 9, and 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). 'The increasing number of unresolved disappearances and rising cases of violence clearly indicate a lapse in the preventive and investigative responsibilities of the state,' the commission observed. It also emphasised the profound emotional trauma endured by families, especially those who live in the dark about whether their missing loved ones are alive or dead. HHRC's protocol and public relations officer Dr Puneet Arora, said that the commission had noticed that missing people—especially women, children and economically vulnerable individuals—are at heightened risk of exploitation, including human trafficking, bonded labour, sexual abuse, and even illegal organ trade. Many disappearances, it noted, later turn out to be heinous crimes such as ransom killings or homicides. 'Failure to act promptly facilitates the spread of organised crime and severely undermines the rule of law,' he said. 'The numbers don't just reflect crime—they represent families torn apart, children missing, and citizens losing faith in the system meant to protect them. This is no longer just a policing issue—it is a human rights emergency,' said Dr Arora. The commission has listed the matter for further hearing on July 31, 2025.
