Virginity tests conducted on over 400 prospective brides in Madhya Pradesh

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PVCHR Communication 
Date: Sun, Jun 9, 2013 at 9:26 AM
Subject: Virginity tests conducted on over 400 prospective brides in Madhya Pradesh
To: covdnhrc , jrlawnhrc
Cc: "Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi"

To,

The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published on June 08 from 2013 Virginity tests conducted on over 400 prospective brides in Madhya Pradesh  http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pregnant-women-betul-mass-marriage-mp-mukhyamantri-kanyadan-yojana-india-today/1/279175.html

Virginity tests conducted on over 400 prospective brides in Madhya Pradesh

Tags: Madhya Pradesh | Shivraj Singh Chouhan | Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana | Betul | Virginity test | Pregnancy test

A marriage ceremony being held under Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana in MP.

It seems that controversies will not go away from Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's pet scheme - Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojna, aimed to help girls from poor families tie the knot at government expense.

On Friday, officials in Betul district allegedly conducted virginity/pregnancy tests on more than 450 prospective brides, of whom over a dozen were detected to be pregnant.

The district administration has ordered an enquiry into the matter but maintained no direction was given to the officials to conduct virginity/pregnancy tests.

On Friday, Betul district administration organised a mass marriage ceremony under the Mukhyamantri Kanyaadan Yojna in village Hardu, that comes under Chicholi Block.

For the mass marriage ceremony, more than 400 brides in traditional bridal finery - gilded sarees and gold jewellery arrived, while grooms, mostly came in three-piece suit and safari suits.

However, minutes before the exchange of garlands, and after completion of other registration formalities, district officials asked prospective brides to go through virginity/pregnancy tests if they wish to avail benefits of the MKY scheme.

Quickly, under the presence of two district health workers - J Budholiya and Durga Malviya alleged virginity - pregnancy tests were conducted on over 400 prospective brides.

On the grounds of suspicion, we conducted pregnancy tests on the brides, health worker Durga Malviya told newspersons in village Hardu.

The tests revealed nine of them were pregnant, said an official.

After the tests by district officials on the brides was over, chanting of vedic hymns begin and over 380 brides belonging to different caste and communities garlanded and tied the magalsutras, with officials pronouncing them to be husband and wives before the sacred fire.

Local legislator Gita Uike (BJP), who along with scores of government officials present during the occasion said she will take up the matter with the district collector.

She said she wanted to know the rules under which any tests were conducted on women who had come for the mass weddings.

Local legislator Gita Uike (BJP), Vijay Shah former Minister and other government officials were also present during the occasion.

However, the collector said no virginity test was conducted, but added that some couples who tried to drew benefits of the scheme through unfair means were stopped.

"No direction was given to the officials to conduct virginity/pregnancy tests on the women who had come to take part in the weddings under the scheme. However, we have ordered an enquiry into the matter. The enquiry will be conducted by Neha Marwiah, Upper Collector and report will be presented in seven-days," Rajesh Prasad Mishr, Betul collector said.

And on the basis of the report, action will be taken against the guilty, he said.  

This is not for the first time, when the local authorities ordered the virginity and pregnancy tests to weed out already-married brides and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan's flagship scheme has landed into trouble.

In 2009, Shahdol district administration has conducted virginity and pregnancy tests on the 152 prospective brides, of whom 14 were detected to be pregnant.

Moreover, reports of fake marriages and middlemen taking commission to produce married couples as unmarried to get their marriage solemnised and drew monetary benefits have often come into news.

The state has received irregularities-related complaints against Mukhyamantri Kanyadan Yojana in over a dozen districts.

This scheme has been launched on the special initiative of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for helping poor families get rid of this worry in April 2006.

Marriages under the scheme are solemnised free of cost and all arrangements are made by the district administration.

Every bride is also provided assistance in the form of household items to the tune off Rs.9,000 and Rs.1,000 for bearing the expenses to attend a mass marriage ceremony, said an official.

The scheme aims to solemnise the marriage of daughters/widows/deserted women belonging to economically weaker sections and disabled category.

Between Apirl 1 2006 till this date, 1,60,977 mass marriages were solomenised under this scheme, the official added.

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

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging thrashing of a woman in police station in UP.

http://www.nhrc.nic.in/dispArchive.asp?fno=12907

NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging thrashing of a woman in police station in UP.

New Delhi, 6th June, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the mother of a 9-year old boy was badly thrashed by the police personnel and pushed out of the Quarsi Police Station, Aligarh, UP, when she went to enquire about her son who was kept in the police lock-up. The contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. The Commission has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a report within four weeks.

According to the news report, carried on 31st May, 2013, the boy was amongst 6 minors who were in the lock-up since 27th May, 2013, on complaints of committing theft. The mother of one of the children, went to the police station to enquire about his minor son and confronted the policemen for keeping him in the lock-up.

The In-charge of the police station, reportedly hurled abuses on her and asked his sub-ordinate lady Sub-Inspector to thrash away her. The woman was slapped, punched and kicked before being pushed out of the premises.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "PVCHR Communication" <cfr.pvchr@gmail.com>
Date: May 31, 2013 10:15 AM
Subject: खौफनाक पुलिस! महिलाओं पर थप्पड़ों की बौछार
To: "covdnhrc" <covdnhrc@nic.in>
Cc: "jrlawnhrc" <jrlawnhrc@hub.nic.in>, "anup srivastava" <pvchr@rediffmail.com>

To,
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in the Aaj Tak on 30th May, 2013 खौफनाक पुलिस! महिलाओं पर थप्पड़ों की बौछार http://aajtak.intoday.in/video/up-police-beat-women--1-732141.html 

 

 

खौफनाक पुलिस! महिलाओं पर थप्पड़ों की बौछार

आज तक ब्यूरो | नई दिल्ली, 30 मई 2013   |  अपडेटेड : 21:48 IST

अलीगढ़ में पुलिस ने महिलाओं पर जबरदस्त गुस्सा निकाला. यूपी के अलीगढ़ में महिलाओं के साथ थानेदार ने बदसलूकी इसलिए की क्योंकि इन महिलाओं ने उनके मासूम नाबालिग बच्चों के बारे में बात की थी. इन बच्चों को चार दिनों से थाने में बंद किया हुआ था जिसे लेकर महिलाएं थाने पर पहुंच गई और हंगामा करने लगी.

और भी... http://aajtak.intoday.in/video/up-police-beat-women--1-732141.html

 

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

 

I thought being born in Musahar community is a curse, even after being innocent I was blamed, it is better to de than to bear such torture.

I am Bhonu Musahar, 55 years a resident of village Kharagpur, Pindra block, Jhanjhaur Post, Phoolpur police station Varanasi (UP). My wife is Bhunta (45 years). We have two daughters Manju (26) and Kalawati (23) and a son Sunil (20) and all of them are married.

 

In May 2002 when I was a bandmaster with a team of 12 who could earn Rs 500 a day in marriage season and apart from it we also worked as labours which was enough to run my family.

 

In May 2002 I went for a marriage in Barwa-Jalalpur where I was called to play music for the marriage. We performed well and came back from there. Next day cops came to my house at around 10 am and asked for me and my brother Akkar. I was not at home and the cops told that at the place where I had gone to play music five Rajbhars were murdered and I was being called for interrogation so I shall be send to the police station as soon as I come back.

 

My name came up when one Ramdhani Musahar of Dharsauna was beaten up mercilessly by the cops investigating the murder case and out of fear and beating he took my and my brother’s name as suspect. Ramdhani is serving life imprisonment in the case and I am on bail.

 

When I came back home Bhutna told me about the visit of the cops but I avoided going to police station out of fear. Gangster act was imposed upon be later on.

 

When I did not turned up for next 90 days the police officer Bhullan got all my property attached. That day my wife, children and mother were at home and I was watching the proceeding from a distance hiding myself from the policemen.

 

The village Pradhan Shyam Narayam who was also present on the spot pleaded that I was not guilty but it did not worked. Four cops came to my house and broke open the door. They dragged all items outside and damaged the thatched roof. They took away bank documents and pass book of my wife’s account. When she resisted she was abused and kicked twice on her hand by the police officer, due to which bleeding took place. I wanted to save my wife but was afraid and out of fear I did not went to front. I though nobody was there to help us.

 

I started my efforts to get bail and got busy in other wok. Almost a month later cops again came to my house this time at 11 in the night when I was sleeping under a tree outside the house along with my wife. Cops came near to my bed and knocked with sticks. One of them focused the torch light upon my face and I was taken aback by the light beam. I asked who was it and the man replied, “I am Bhullan, the police officer, don’t you recognize me.”

 

One of the cops held me by the collar and said, “Get in to the jeep, we have some work.” All the way I was afraid and thinking why they are taking me and where. They took me one kilometer from my house and stopped near a nullah (open drain). They parked the vehicle under a tree and asked me to come out. All the cops came out and I was thinking what they have in mind for me.

 

Then suddenly the police officer Bhullan took out his gun and said, “My Durga wants sacrifice of a Musahar man. Tell me the address of your brother else you will be killed right now.”

 

I told him, “Sir, I do not know.” T which he replied, “If you tell me you will be rewarded.” Listening to his reply I started thinking that I will be killed now and what will happen to my family after my death. But I gathered courage and replied back, “You may kill me but I will not tell you anything.”

 

It was 12 midnight by then. After ten minutes they took me to the police station and locked me up at around 1 in the night. The lavatory was besides my cell and it was stinking. I could not sleep and thoughts about my encounter were coming continuously to my mind.

 

The next morning at 6 another office from the Cholapur police station came and I was sent to his chamber within a few minutes. That officer said I looked simple. He took me along with him to Babatpur crossing and gave me tea to drink and then took me to Cholapur police station. On the way he told me that if I take the onus of a murder of one Govind Pal of Murdahan in Bhawarpur village my life will be saved. Out of fear for life and compulsion I told him, “I will obey to you.”

 

However when I was taken to the SP I felt this man can really save me so I narrated the truth and said I was forced to take the onus of the murder by the officer of Cholapur police station. About 36 people from Bhawarpur had come as witness and they unanimously said, “He (Bhonu) can not kill anyone).” But the SP said he won’t help me.

 

At that time I felt I was trapped due to false case and deceitful attitude of the policemen. Due to mental and physical torture I was broken. I thought of getting out of jail and was worried about my family. My mind always thought that despite being innocent I was falsely being trapped in bogus cases and this had put up a challenge before my family for survival.

 

That officer took me to the police station and tied me up. He mercilessly showered canes on my feet, palms and back. I pleaded, “Leave me.” He said, “You change statement” and abused me. I thought being born in Musahar community is a curse, even after being innocent I was blamed, it is better to de than to bear such torture.

 

That day at around 3 pm a challan (name slip) was issued for me to be lodged in Chaukaghat jail (prison) and cases under section 394/302, 396/302 were imposed upon me through the court. I was made culprit in Govind Pal murder case. With this the officer got promotion and I was ordered for jail. I was made to clean the jail premises and toilet and was working from 5 am to 11 am and then from 2 pm to 5 pm.

 

I didn’t felt staying over there. Mosquito bite gave fever and other health problem but doctors there gave only one medicine for all ailments. I always though about my family and the false case. I though should I commit suicide and always used to sleep on the floor over a blanket.

 

 For 26 months I remained there before my wife with her earning from the field work she did got money for my bail and took me out. Coming back home my neighbours supported me but cops used to lift me for every cases that happened in the vicinity. They made it a habit.

 

On June 26, 2010 an old Baba of village Gajokhar (Khalispur) was killed I connection with a theft of a bronze plate and few other items. These days I was working as partner on the field when suddenly on morning three cops came on two motorcycles of which one was in civil dress. They slapped me and abused me and took me to police station.

 

On the direction of Arya Pandey I was beaten up mercilessly and finally when I pleaded them to kill me they sent me to the court. There I came to know that I have been against trapped in a false case, this time for murder of that old Baba. I was again sent to Chaukaghat jail for 3-4 months. I felt I should commit suicide but had to bear all that for my family.

 

I was finally left by the court in the fake gangster act, 60 ex act, 394/302 Ipc, 460 IPC. God gave the proof of my innocence even after cops were behind me. The cases of old Baba under section 460 and gunda act were there.

 

I wish the cops do not implicate me in any more false case. Now days me and my family always fear advent of cops at our door. We fear going out, sleeping in the night, livelihood, as all these cases have broken the economy of my family. I follow meditation that helps me keep cool.

 

NHRC issues notice to the UP Government on allegations of caste-based discrimination and sexual exploitation in Bundelkhand region.

http://www.nhrc.nic.in/dispArchive.asp?fno=12906

 

NHRC issues notice to the UP Government on allegations of caste-based discrimination and sexual exploitation in Bundelkhand region.

New Delhi, 6th June, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a complaint alleging that caste-based discrimination, sexual exploitation and untouchability are widespread in Bundelkhand area of UP, which is very backward. In the demography of the region, 53 percent are OBCs, 25 percents Scheduled Castes/Dalits, 10 percent tribals and 12 percent are Thakur and Brahmins who own land, but dominate others.

The Commission has issued notice to Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh calling for a report within four weeks into the allegations. It has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to send a Fact Finding Team.

Allegedly, a Dalit needs to take off his shoes and hold it in his hand, if a Thakur is approaching towards him. He has to do so while visiting a locality in the village inhabited by upper caste. The complainant, Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi of PVCHR, Varanasi, UP, has alleged that this practice is prevalent in several villages of District Lalitpur in the region.

He has also alleged that the women of the Balmiki community manually dispose off human faces and carcass of dead animals. Violence against women is rampant and during the last few years, a number of Sati deaths have been reported from the region. There have been cases of selling of daughters or wives to repay debts even as the sex-ratio is very adverse in the area.

The complainant has prayed for appropriate action against the system under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1995 and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Hope, Honour, Human Dignity, solidarity, justice based on secularism & rule of law and reconciliation

History of testimony to resist by women, Dalit, Indigenous people, Minority, marginalized people are very old. Feminist literature, dalit literature and hunger strike of Irom Sharmila are few best examples of testimonial campaign in South Asia. Thanks to Jan Ole Haagensen and Erik Wendt of Dignity:Danish Institute against Torture to bring the Inger Agger to PVCHR for realization of testimonial therapy in India. PVCHR introduced honour ceremony based on hope, honour and human dignity with strong process of justice and reconciliation against culture of silence based on conspiracy of caste, patriarchy and communal fascism. Hope, Honour, Human Dignity, solidarity, justice based on secularism & rule of law and reconciliation are main components to bring successful peoples’ testimonial movement on ground to contribute in global Human Rights campaign.

---------- 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

from:		PVCHR Communication
to:		jrlawnhrc
cc		covdnhrc , "Dr. Lenin Raghuvanshi" date: Sat, May 25, 2013 at 11:09 AM

To,
The Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
New Delhi

Dear Sir,

I want to bring in your kind attention towards the news published in International Business Times on 19th May, 2013 ndia: Police 'Inject' Petrol and Acid into Jail Inmate to Extract Confession http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/468687/20130518/jail-inmate-police-torture-interrogation-delhi-murder.htm

India: Police 'Inject' Petrol and Acid into Jail Inmate to Extract Confession

By VASUDEVAN SRIDHARAN: Subscribe to Vasudevan's RSS feed | May 18, 2013 12:42 PM GMT

• FOLLOW IBT: YOUR ONE-STOP NEWS SITE
• 

India: Police 'Inject' Petrol and Acid into Jail Inmate to Extract Confession (Reuters file photo)

SHARE ARTICLE

• 3

A jail inmate was allegedly injected with liquids including petrol and acid as part of a police interrogation in India.

The inmate has died following the suspected police torture, but his death-bed statement was recorded on camera, according to local reports.

Police in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have been accused of using torture to extract a confession from the suspect.

• FOLLOW IBTIMES
• 

The suspect, named Balbir, was taken into custody a month ago in connection with a murder case. Another suspect was also arrested and allegedly tortured.

After drawing a blank, investigators allegedly resorted to torture.

The suspects were admitted to hospital as their health deteriorated. The second suspect remains in hospital.

Some of the police officers allegedly involved have been suspended by the authorities and a probe has been launched into the matter.

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

Thanking You

Sincerely Yours


Lenin Raghuvanshi

Secretary General

Peoples' Vigilance Committee on Human Rights
SA 4/2 A Daulatpur, Varanasi
Mobile No: +91-9935599333
Email: pvchr.india@gmail.com