Nat'l ST commission sends notice on deaf-mute rape victim's harassment plaint against Disabilities Commissioner

The victims in the Bhopal deaf-mute girl students have alleged that the Commissioner Disabilities was misusing his position following a complaint from one of the four victims.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Amid the hearing of the deaf and mute girl students rape case in Bhopal, the victims have levelled allegations of influence and misuse of position against Commissioner, Disabilities. On a complaint by one of the victims, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes has issued notices to the Principal Secretary, Department of Social Justice and Disabled Welfare along with the Commissioner of Police, Bhopal.

In this case, the victims have in the past alleged that the department officials were saving the accused Ashwini Sharma. But this is the first time that a victim has penned a letter to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes alleging misuse of position by Disabilities Commissioner Sandeep Rajak. The Commission had sent a notice to Principal Secretary, Disabled and Social Justice Department, along with the Commissioner of Police, Bhopal.

In August 2018, four deaf and mute girl students residing in Krutharth Sanstha, Avadhpuri in Bhopal had accused the institution's director Ashwini Sharma of rape and sexual exploitation. The Bhopal police had lodged three cases following complaints by the four girl students. Police arrested the accused Ashwini Sharma and sent him to jail.

Since then, the case was being heard in Bhopal. Amid the case hearings, the victims have alleged that those officials, who should help them are protecting the accused. They have further alleged that the officials are pressuring them to change their statements to enable the accused to evade the justice system.

The victims have further alleged that the officials are also harassing Gyanendra Purohit and Monika Purohit, directors of the Anand Mute Deaf Society of Indore, who have aided them in the case. Disabilities Commissioner Sandeep Rajak has claimed that the Indore-based organisation Anand Mookbadhir Sanstha is provoking the victims to stop the investigation against financial irregularities.

He said that he would reply to the notice, but action won't stop against those who are doing wrong things in the name of serving the disabled. He also said the Indore Police Commissioner is investigating against Gyanendra Purohit and Monika Purohit and hence they were provoking the victims.