Give medical aid to 3-yr-old rape victim: HC

ALLAHABAD: The Allahabad high court, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, directed the authorities of Sir Sunderlal Hospital of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) to ensure proper medical treatment of a 3-year-old girl who is a rape victim. The court further directed the hospital officials if the victim needed any medical expertise that was not available with the hospital, they may co-ordinate with the district magistrate, Varanasi to ensure her treatment in some other institution.

The court directed the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Varanasi, to monitor the investigation. It further said if any police officer was found hampering the investigation process, penal and departmental action should be taken against him.

The bench comprising chief justice DY Chandrachud and justice Yashwant Varma was hearing the PIL filed by Gudiya, an organisation working for social cause. In the petition, it was alleged that the authorities were negligently handling medical case of the minor girl and earlier the government hospital refused to give medical aid to the victim.

The horrifying incident took place on the night of June 5/6 this year in Varanasi when a few men kidnapped the girl and later raped her. Later the child was found in a serious condition near Varuna river. The bench expressed its concern about rising sexual crimes against children and casual and lethargic attitude of police.

The court also directed the state government to bear the expense of medical treatment of the child and not to recover medical expenses from the victim’s family. The court further ordered that Rs 1 lakh must be fixed in the name of the victim and her grandmother for her rehabilitation.