NHRC takes cognisance of media report on 'horrors' in state-run shelter

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo moto cognizance of a media report that at least 10 girls residing in the state-run shelter house, situated in West Delhi, have complained of molestation by the staff members and forcible administration of injections of unexplained drugs, apart from beatings.

According to the media report, the victims have been given some substance similar to Oxytocin which stimulates physical growth in pre-pubescent girls. Most of the girls are either rape survivors or rescued from the city's streets from theclutches of human traffickers and brothels. One of the girls has alleged that she was not given food for days as a punishment because she had accused one of the staff members of torturing her.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Commissioner of Police calling for a detailed report in the matter, within four weeks.