NHRC Probes Alleged Sexual Assault in Fake NCC Camp at Tamil Nadu School

The NHRC has initiated an investigation into reports that 13 female students were sexually assaulted during a fake NCC camp in Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu. Notices have been sent to state officials for a detailed report on the incident, which involves multiple schools and a political figure.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that 13 girl students were sexually assaulted in an alleged fake National Cadet Corps (NCC) camp at a private school in Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu during August 5-9. According to an official release, 41 students, including 17 girls, attended the camp. Allegedly, a political leader convinced the private school authorities that he would get them a unit of the NCC if they organized a students' camp. Four other schools in the district also held similar camps.

The NHRC has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. "The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of the human rights of the victims. The victim girls were subjected to abuse by the perpetrator due to the negligence of the school authorities. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, calling for a detailed report within two weeks. It is expected to include the status of the FIR, the status of the victims' health, and their counseling," the NHRC release said.

The Commission has also directed state authorities to reach out to students who attended similar camps organized by the same person in the four other schools of the district to determine if others were subjected to abuse or ill-treatment. The report should also mention steps taken or proposed to ensure such incidents do not recur. As per the release, the issue came to light when one of the victims informed the school's Principal about the incident during the camp, but the staff reportedly tried to hush up the matter until she told her mother, who approached the police.

(With inputs from agencies.)