Tamil Nadu HRC Finds Rights Violation By Six Cops, Orders ₹9L Compensation To Minor Rape Victim
SHRC has recommended a fresh investigation into the minor rape case
Chennai : The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ruled that six police personnel have grossly violated the human rights of a 15-year-old sexual assault victim. The Bench, comprising chairperson Justice S. Manikumar and member V. Kannadasan, observed that the police personnel acted in a "most callous manner," effectively playing with the life of the victim rather than following the stringent protections mandated by the Pocso Act. Consequently, the SHRC recommended the Tamil Nadu government to pay a total compensation of ₹9,00,000 to the survivor.
The case originated from a harrowing complaint filed by a minor girl through the Government Home for Girls in Vellore. She alleged that in June 2022, she was lured into the home of a neighbour, Mohanapriya, where she was locked inside and sexually abused by a man named Santhoshkumar. The victim was threatened by another individual, Meganathan, and pressured into prostitution. Despite these serious allegations, the girl testified that the police failed to perform their duties, with some even discouraging her from cooperating with medical examinations.
The respondents held liable for these violations include M. Shagin (then Inspector, AWPS, Vellore), P. Shyamala (then Inspector, Vellore South), A.D. Vasuki (then Inspector, AWPS, Vellore), and S. Sathiyavani (then WSI, AWPS, Vellore), all of whom were ordered to pay ₹2,00,000 each. Additionally, grade-I police constables N. Dhamayanthi and M. Jayasudha were fined ₹50,000 each. While a medical officer, a DSP, and an SSI were also named as respondents, the SHRC dismissed the complaints against them, finding they had not committed human rights violations.
The Commission’s investigation unearthed a series of systemic failures and evidence of record tampering. Lapses included failing to notify the Child Welfare Committee within the mandatory 24-hour window, delaying the victim's medical examination by 12 days, and sending the victim for medical tests without a trusted adult or family member.
The ruling also highlighted suspicious use of "whitener" in the case diary and forged signatures on final reports intended to close the case prematurely as a "mistake of fact". In addition to the compensation, the SHRC has recommended a fresh investigation by an officer no lower than the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the erring officers.
