NHRC, India takes suo motu cognizance of the reported trafficking, selling and sexual assault of a tribal girl from Odisha in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh

📌 Summary:

• NHRC India took suo motu cognizance of a media report regarding the trafficking, sale, and repeated sexual assault of a 17-year-old tribal girl from Kankadahada area of Dhenkanal district, Odisha, in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh
• Victim and 3 other girls were trafficked to UP on the pretext of providing jobs; she was confined for ~3 months and repeatedly assaulted
• She was allegedly forced to undergo abortion without consent when she became pregnant, then sold to another perpetrator for ₹50,000, and sexually assaulted by several others for nearly two years before escaping
• Victim escaped with help of a local advocate; approached Jhansi police who recorded her statement but allegedly took no further action except providing a train ticket back to Odisha
• Odisha Police subsequently recorded her statement; investigation is underway
• NHRC issued notices to: (1) Director General of Police, Odisha; (2) Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh; (3) District Magistrate, Dhenkanal — calling for detailed report within 2 weeks
• Report must include status of investigation and steps taken for victim's relief and rehabilitation
• Underscores gaps in inter-state coordination on human trafficking, vulnerability of tribal women and minors, and inadequate police response to trafficking survivors

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS1 (Society — vulnerable sections, tribal women, gender-based violence, human trafficking); GS2 (Statutory bodies — NHRC; PHRA 1993; mechanisms for protection of women and children; Centre-State coordination); GS3 (Internal Security — organised crime, trafficking, victim protection)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• NHRC India: statutory body (not constitutional) established under Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA), 1993
• Chairperson: must be a retired Chief Justice of India or judge of Supreme Court
• Suo motu cognizance: power under Section 12(a) of PHRA, 1993
• Key anti-trafficking laws: Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956, BNS 2023 (Section 143 covers human trafficking), Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2015, POCSO Act 2012
• Article 23 of Constitution: prohibits trafficking in human beings and forced labour
• Districts involved: Dhenkanal (Odisha), Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh)

🔑 Key Term: Suo Motu Cognizance — Latin for "on its own motion"; a body's power to initiate proceedings without a formal complaint; NHRC exercises this power under Section 12(a) of PHRA 1993 to inquire into human rights violations brought to its notice via media or other sources.