Several organisations have expressed shock and condemned the granting of bail to a person accused of child molestation.
WSTH: Western Sümi Totimi Hoho (WSTH) vehemently condemned the “barbaric and bestial act” of a school principal, who allegedly molested a 4-year old girl belonging to his school. In a press release, WSTH president Visheli S Yeptho and general secretary Holi V Chophy said that “such lecherous person” should not have any place in the society and should be served befitting punishment according to the law. “As mothers it pains our heart to see that our children are no more safe in the hands of their educators whom they look up to,” WSTH stated.
The women hoho also questioned the responsible authority “why such culprit was granted facile bail and released from jail?”
Asserting that law should be implemented without bias and same yardsticks should be applied to all, the WSTH has, therefore, demanded rejection of bail and punishment according to POCSO Act, 2019.
WSSU: Western Sumi Students’ Union (WSSU) has demanded setting up of an inquiry committee, cancelling the licence of the school and issuing of a non-bailable warrant under section 354 of Indian Panel Code (lPC) against the accused in the alleged child sexual abuse case.
In a representation to Dimapur deputy commissioner, union’s president A Kughato Achumi and secretary Kawoka V Awomi sought his intervention into the case that reportedly occurred in April this year. WSSU warned of coming out on to the street to seek justice for the victim, if its demands were not met.
DNSU: Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) expressed anguish over the granting of bail to the accused person, who allegedly molested his student, a minor girl. DNSU through its media cell questioned the “integrity” of the court for considering the bail petition and showing leniency to the “under-trail prisoner failing to realize the gravity and nature of the case.”
Further, DNSU said it was “highly questionable” whether the Court was intimated with any report on the fitness and health conditions of the under-trial prisoner after being taken into judicial custody. “It is a fact that such case is significantly sensitive in nature and involves a great deal of social concern,” DNSU stated.
The union has, therefore, appealed the Court to thoroughly re-examine the report submitted in the bail petition. It said that granting bail by merely relying on a past medical report was “not only unsatisfactory but a mockery to the justice system.”
The union expressed apprehension over the unfair means that could obstruct and fabricate the facts of the case if the Court showed less interest in delivering justice to the victim despite the merit of the case in favour of the victim.
The union asserted that such a criminal and perverted act against a child would not be tolerated by any means. It said that the Court of law should expedite the matter and abstain from delaying its proceedings.
DSSU: Dimapur Sumi Students’ Union (DSSU) president Vitopu Ayemi and general secretary Vitoka N Rochill expressed shock and resentment at the release of the accused, who happened to be principal of a reputed school here, on bail reportedly on the basis of a medical certificate of 2013-14 furnished by him before the court
DSSU questioned the authority concerned with what conscience the accused was given bail and released from jail.
They also questioned the validity of the medical certificate furnished by the accused as it was of 2013/14.
Terming the release of the accused on bail as an insult to the child victim, who was a four-year-old girl, DSSU pointed out that this was also against the very principles of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The union feared that the release of the accused could also have serious physiological implications on the child victim.
Further pointing out that the incident fell under the purview of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 and that it was a non-bailable offence under section 12 of the Act, DSSU wondered why the accused was released on bail.
It said justice had already been denied and that the court order to release the accused on bail only added salt to the wound of the child victim, her parents and family members.
Claiming that it had been coordinating with the victim and her parents on the matter since day one, the student body said it was utterly disappointed with the court’s ruling allowing release of the accused on bail. It also questioned as to who would be held responsible if the accused violated terms and conditions of the bail bond.
DSSU called upon every right-thinking citizen and organisation to condemn and raise their voice in unison against such acts of child molestation and cautioned that any other child could become a victim of child abuse, harassment, rape and even murder due to such easy application of the laws of the land and allowing the culprits go scot free after committing such crimes, as had happened in this case.
The union sought the intervention of State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCRN) on the matter and justice for the little innocent child.
NWHD: Expressing shock, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur (NWHD) questioned the authority concerned as to why the accused in the child molestation case, which came to light in April this year, was given bail and released from jail. It also questioned the validity of medical report, on whose basis he was released, as it dated back eight to nine years prior to this incident.
The hoho termed the release of the accused as an insult and injustice to the minor girl and her family members.
“We condemn such disgraceful and shameful act committed to a minor schoolgirl. We are deeply anguished and disgusted by this incident where the perpetrator happens to be an educator himself. This act of crime has not only traumatized the victim but also has aroused fear in the minds of the parents and has questioned the security of our children in the school,” said NWHD in a statement.
The women body also called upon every citizen concerned and organisation to condemn such injustice done to an innocent minor girl and her family members and demanded justice and awarding of befitting punishment to the accused without any delay.
DSSU: In another statement of the Dimapur Sümi Students’ Union (DSSU) led by president L. Kivipu Shohe and general secretary N. Mugha Aye, strongly opposed the bail granted to the accused involved in the alleged sexual abuse of a 4-year-old by the principal of a school in Dimapur.
DSSU through its media cell stated that the union along with Dimapur Sümi Totimi Hoho and Naga Women Hoho Dimapur have been coordinating with investigating officer. DSSU said they have met and discussed with the commissioner of police regarding the case and sought speedy justice.
DSSU claimed that the accused was granted bail after furnishing an old medical report, which it was “questionable”. It said that the act of granting bail to the accused by court has “also sparked a great sense of threat to justice for our people.”
DSSU affirmed that it stood strongly in support of the victim’s family and requested the law to sternly punish the perpetrator.