Class VI student in Jharkhand forced to consume abortion pills by school authorities, NHRC issues notice

Jharkhand: A class VI girl was allegedly forced to consume abortion pills by the school authorities without consulting a doctor, to prevent the institution from falling into disrepute.

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya which is a state-run residential school for girls in Garhwa district of Jharkhand. The Commission, taking Suo moto cognisance of the report, has issued the notice to the Chief Secretary of the state and sought a detailed report in the matter within four weeks.

The NHRC said in a statement that.”He has also been asked to inform the Commission about the steps taken for relief, medical care and proper counseling of the victim girl.”

“According to the report, carried on January 29, the incident happened on January 24, and her family was informed two days later. The school authorities remained tight-lipped about the incident,” the Commission said.

The NHRC said. “However, the District Education Superintendent has stated that a probe is on and the truth will come out to the fore. The victim was in trauma and not in a position of speak.”

“She became pregnant and was forced to consume abortion pills by the school administration to prevent the institution from falling into disrepute,” the statement said.

“However, as the medicine was given without consulting a doctor, the girl’s condition worsened to an extent that she had to be rushed to the Garhwa Sadar Hospital where she was found two-month pregnant. Doctors carried out a proper abortion to save her life,” it added.

The Commission said the reports are not only “shocking but painful”, but the victim girl’s “rights to life, dignity and medical care have been violated due to the negligent and irrational act of the school authorities”.

The girl’s family did not lodge the complaint yet. Police authorities said they will take strict action once the victim’s family file a case. The district education superintendent has said that a probe is on and the truth will come out to the fore.