Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Complaints Before the Commission
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19. Exploitation of Children by the Great Roman Circus in Gonda District of
Uttar Pradesh – Case No.7993/24/2004-2005.
4.117 The Commission received a complaint, dated 15.6.2004 from the General Secretary,
Global March Against Child Labour, New Delhi – an NGO, alleging assault on its members and
parents of children during investigation of alleged atrocities on children including sexual
harassment at Great Roman Circus in Golonelganj, District Gonda, U.P.
4.118 The Commission got the matter investigated through its team of officers and also obtained
a report from the Chief Secretary, State of U. P.
4.119 In response to the notice issued to the Government of Uttar Pradesh, the State
Government informed that three criminal cases – one u/s 147/148/325/323/352/5045/506/
107 IPC and Section 3/5 of the Bonded Labour Act had been registered against the owner
of the circus and other persons; the other u/s 376 IPC was registered against Raza
Mohd., owner of the Circus in respect of alleged rape by him on Kumari Neeta
Lama. A third case u/s 354 IPC was also registered against unknown persons. Apart from
Neeta Lama, no other woman employee had complained of sexual harassment/other
exploitation.
4.120 The Government of Uttar Pradesh informed the Commission that in the first two criminal
cases, charge sheets had been filed before the court. In the absence of evidence about sexual
exploitation of the girls, final report had been filed in the court in cases No. 283B to 283A u/s
354 IPC registered in this regard.
4.121 Twenty two girls (10 Indians and 12 Nepalese) were recovered on 22.6.2004 by the
SDM in the presence of NHCR team. Nepalese girls were handed over to the Nepal authorities
by the District Authorities of Gonda on 25.6.2004 taking them from the circus. Action for their
rehabilitation would be taken by the Nepal Government. The remaining 10 Indian girls were
sent to the Nari Niketan.
4.122 A writ petition had also been filed in the Hon’ble High Court, Lucknow Bench, Lucknow
– Sharmila and others vs Raza Mohd etc. The girls sent to Nari Niketan were to be produced
before the Hon’ble Court on 23.7.2004 as per its directions. Further action will be taken
accordingly on the directions of the Hon’ble Court. 7 girls working with the said circus belonged
to District Darjeeling, West Bengal who of their own after closure of the circus went back to
Darjeeling as per their wish along with their guardians.
4.123 The Commission, vide its proceedings dated 9.2.2005, directed SP (HR) in the office of
DGP, U.P., to send a copy of the writ petition pending before the High Court at Allahabad
together with any order made therein. The response is still awaited.
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