Cops told to give compensation to Tanzanian student

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday directed the Bengaluru city police to award a compensation of Rs one lakh to the Tanzanian student who was assaulted by a mob in Soladevanahalli in Bengaluru on February 1, 2016.

Addressing the media in Bengaluru, following a two-day Open Hearing and Camp Sitting, NHRC chairman Justice H L Dattu said that the compensation was awarded owing to police inaction in preventing the incident.

“The Tanzanian girl has left the country. But we have awarded a compensation of Rs one lakh, which will be deposited in the Syndicate Bank today itself,” he added.

The incident which had attracted international attention had occurred following an accident in Soladevanahalli after four Sudanese students had run over a Hesaraghatta resident, killing her. The student, who was 21 years of age when she was assaulted, had lodged a complaint stating that she was also partially stripped during the incident.

The police had subsequently made several arrests and had also suspended two policemen.

Police Inaction

Dattu, who, along with two other justices heard over 200 cases over the two days, said that a majority of the cases were pertaining to police inaction, atrocities on Dalits, harassment by police officials, non-registration of FIRs. There were also many cases of non-issue of khatas by Revenue officials.

“The Commission has informed the police officials to immediately lodge the FIR, whenever they receive a complaint and start an investigation immediately. But, by and large, police have taken action against the culprits,” he added.

The Commission has also recommended compensation of Rs five lakh in one case, and also issued show cause notices to the state government in seven matters for providing monetary relief for prima facie violation of human rights.

In some cases, reports received from the authorities were ordered to be sent to the complainant for their comments, while in some cases, further reports have been called for, added Dattu.

Action was taken on reports

The justice also said that Chief Secretary T S Vijay Bhaskar had also promised to periodically file an action taken reports on the recommendations made by the Commission.

In a case pertaining to the supply of contaminated water in Shivamogga, the Commission has ordered the local authorities to pay of compensation of Rs 5,000 each to 35 people who had fallen sick after consuming the water.

The authorities have already paid a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to families of four people who died due to water contamination.

The Commission also heard cases pertaining to illegal quarrying in Shivamogga and Mandya districts, the rescue of slave farmers from Mysuru district, police atrocities on villagers in Belagavi district, contaminated water supply in Shivamogga and air and water pollution caused by landfilled garbage in Mysuru.

After the open session, the Commission held an interaction with NGOs, human rights defenders and LGBT community representatives. Issues such as victimisation of barber community members, problems faced by transgenders, human trafficking and bonded labour, sexual harassment against women at workplaces, were discussed during the interaction.