Monday, May 27, 2013

Rape victims wait 17 hrs for medical test in UP


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Shabana - 
Date: Mon, May 27, 2013 at 1:43 PM
Subject: Rape victims wait 17 hrs for medical test in UP
To: covdnhrc
Cc: jrlawnhrc , anup srivastava


To, 
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi

Dear Sir, 

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in Deccan Herald on 27th May, 2013 regarding Rape Victim Wait 17 hours for medical test in U.Phttp://www.deccanherald.com/content/334860/rape-victims-wait-17-hrs.html (Newspaper clipping annexed). 

Rape victims wait 17 hrs for medical test in UP

Sanjay Pandey, Lucknow, May 26, 2013, DHNS :
Docs insist on minor technicalities before examining
 In an incident which reflects insensitivity on the part of the authorities, two rape victims — both minors — were made to wait for over 17 hours for their medical examination as the doctors at government hospital here insisted on rectifying the technical flaws before examining them.

The hapless victims, in the meantime, sat alone in the corridor of the hospital covering their faces with their hands — a reflection of shame and humiliation faced by them.
According to reports, a 10-year-old girl had allegedly been raped by her relative in the state capital. Parents had lodged an FIR and the culprit had been arrested. 

A police team reached the government hospital here with the minor victim around midnight on Friday for her medical examination. Her parents were also there.

The doctors on duty, however, refused to medically examine her saying there was a technical flaw in the police FIR. They claimed that police had not included the Indian Penal Code section with regard to rape in the FIR and hence they could not examine the victim. 

The victim ultimately was medically examined after a good 17 hours when senior officials intervened.

In another case, doctors refused to conduct medical examination of a 14-year-old girl who had also allegedly been raped. They said her age was not clear and without a report regarding her age, they could not examine her.

She was also made to wait for over 17 hours before she was medically examined.
“Its nothing but humiliation. My child kept sitting in a corner in the corridor awaiting medical examination. Everyone who passed by used to ask if something was wrong with her,” said girl’s furious father.

Senior officials have promised a probe into the matter. “An FIR is not essential for medical examination of the rape victim,” a senior official said.

Therefore it is a kind request please take appropriate action at earliest. 

Thanking You

Sincerely Yours



Shruti Nagvanshi 
Managing Trustee

Shirin Shabana Khan
Senior Manager
People's Vigilance Committee on Human Rights
Sa 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi -221002