NHRC slams Odisha Government over French Paedophile’s Act in Puri
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious note of non-compilation of its previous order for a fresh probe by crime branch and action against ‘delinquent’ police officers for inaction in the French Paedophile’s act in Puri sea beach.
“Inaction on part of authorities of state of Odisha has resulted into serious violation of human rights of the victims children”, said the Commission in its fresh direction to the Government and asked Chief Secretary why interim relief of monetary compensation of Rs 10,000 shall not be granted to each of the four victim children.
One French national Mathieu Nicolas Furic, 46 was booked for allegedly indulging in unnatural sex with children on the sea beach in Puri. Then he flied away to his home country to avoid arrest. Furic had arrived in Puri on November 18, 2013 had checked out of his hotel on November 26, 2013 immediately after another US national James Foster Gorman, 45, caught him in the act with a group of boys on the Penthakata beach in Puri on the same day. Gorman, who had lodged a complaint with the Sea Beach police station, also alleged that Furic had assaulted him when he opposed his illegal acts.
The French national has been booked under section 323 (causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 341 (wrongful restraint) of Indian Penal Code and sections 12 and 18 of the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Alleging negligence and late action by the police, the rights activist Akhand moved NHRC and sought its intervention.
Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, District police admitted that the accused had fled the city and red corner notice have been sent to DIG, CBI, International Police Cooperation Unit, New Delhi, for apprehending the accused.
Pursuant to further directions of the Commission, Addl. DGP, HRPC submitted his report. From the report it was found that Pravesh Chandra Sahoo, the then Inspector In-charge of Sea Beach police station, was guilty of dereliction of duty for not registration the case on 26.11.2013 and 27.11.2013 as the incident was reported to him on 26.11.2013 itself. He sat on the matter and made diary entries only.
“It was on the intervention of Superintendent of Police of Puri that the FIR was registered on 02.12.2013 after one week delay. Disciplinary action against the responsible officer is being taken for delay in registration of Crime”, said the report.
Hearing the matter the Commission has opined that “the allegation of complainant against Police for negligence and inaction appears to have some merit as there is delay of one week in registration of FIR after receiving information of crime at Police Station. The report of Addl. DGP of HRPC has also indicated that there was negligence and dereliction of duty on part of police officer.”
The Commission had directed the Director General of Police of Odisha on 16.09.2014 to get a fresh enquiry conducted in the matter from CB/CID, and to take appropriate action against delinquent police officers. No Enquiry Report from Odisha CB/CID has been received so far. Further, it has also not been informed, as to what action was taken against delinquent police officer Pravesh Chandra Sahoo.
Inaction on part of authorities of state of Odisha has resulted into serious violation of human rights of the victims children. The Commission has taken a serious note of such human Rights violations in the matter and issued notice to the Chief Secretary to show cause within four weeks, why interim relief of monetary compensation of rupees ten thousand shall not be granted to each of the four victim children, as per Section 18 of the protection of human rights Act, 1993.