NHRC pulls up Assam Govt

NEW DELHI, April 11: In an unprecedented act, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has pulled up the Assam Government questioning its justification in allowing the Minister of State for Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes (WPT&BC), Rajendra Mushahary continue as a Minister even after being named as an accused in a rape case. Acting on a complaint filed by the victim's mother, the NHRC's scathing criticism of the Assam Government would come as a major embarrassment on the poll eve. A report was called for from the Director General of Police, Assam, which clearly named the Minister as an accused in the offence, which had been registered and investigated. However, Mushahary continued to be a Minister in the State Cabinet. The Commission by its earlier order on February 26, asked the state government as to what action it proposed to take regarding the continuance of such a person accused of a serious offence, as a Minister. The Commission had expressed the view that continuance of an accused as a Minister ran counter to the basic rudiments of the rule of the law. Hence, it had desired to know the answer of its query from the Chief Minister before considering the matter. Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta in his reply through the State Chief Secretary conveyed that the state government was willing to consider further course of action only after completion of the investigation and DNA profiling. The Commission, however, expressed its dismay over the Chief Minister's reply. The NHRC said it had considered a complaint alleging that the Minister had raped a minor girl of class IX after she had been lured by his henchmen. The victim, who had allegedly been raped on two occasions had been threatened not to disclose the matter. But on becoming pregnant, a complaint was lodged in Gossaigaon police station. However no action was taken on the matter. In its order the NHRC observed that in the face of material already available including the report of the police where in the Minister has been clearly named as an accused, who had obtained interim bail from the Gauhati High Court, the propriety of the accused continuing as a member of the Cabinet did assume considerable significance. The NHRC further expressed the view that Mushahary's continuance as a Minister in the State Cabinet gave the impression of likely interference in the cause of investigation and prosecution of the offence. The verdict by the NHRC, itself indirectly asked the Chief Minister to sack the Minister to uphold the dignity of the State Cabinet.