MANGALORE : It has been alleged that the Department of Women and Child Development of the district has been irresponsible enough by failing to produce before the CWC or the Police station, a 17 year old Dalit girl who was allegedly raped by her employer.

There is a rule that children who are taken into custody for any case, should be produced before the investigation authority within 24 hours, failing which the CWC has the authority to question those responsible under the Juvenile justice Act 2006. But, in this particular case the Department of Women and Child Welfare as well as the police department has proved their irresponsibility, the CWC has alleged.

On April 19, Labour contractor of Puttur Janardhan Gowda had reportedly raped Ramya (name changed). Gowda was arrested and was booked under IPC Section 376 and 506 and Section 3(1)\ (12) of the SC ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

But the authorities instead of going by law have lured the girl and her family of providing protection to them. Meanwhile, Ramya said herself and her family wanted punishment to the accused and not any lurings.

Geo D’Silva, former member of the DK CWC says “In such cases, providing security to the victim is not the only responsibility of the police. There is a chance of the victim suffering from a mental shock and she has to be examined by specialists. But, in Ramya’s case everyone has been irresponsible enough.”

According to Hilda Rayappan, former president of DK CWC “ In ordinary situations the children entrusted to the custody of the CWC would be provided counseling. But in the case of the district, the CWC has been dissolved in February. The Udupi CWC which has taken up this case on a temporary basis can be contacted.”

But when the Udupi CWC chief Amrithakala was enquired she recommended that the Juvenile Justice Board be contacted. But what came to light is that this Board deals with juvenile crime cases and not such cases as sexual exploitation of girls.

Meanwhile, Shakuntala, Deputy Director of the District Women and Child Welfare Department says if a police case has been registered, then the police themselves would decide on transferring the case to the CWC.

However Kadaba inspector Vinayak had this to say “ We have assured to provide protection to her, but her family has refused. It is not our responsibility to produce her before the CWC, it is the duty of the Department of Women and Child Development.”

In toto, what can be said is that both the police as well as the Child Welfare Department are shrugging off their responsibility in this case.

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