Human rights panel to probe AP rape cases

The National Human Rights Commission has ordered an investigation into incidents of rape in Andhra Pradesh and recommended that four women gang-raped by policemen be given Rs 50,000 and land by the state government.

NHRC sources said following a complaint that inquiry into these cases suffered due to the "indifferent and disinterested" attitude of the police, the Commission asked its investigation team to conduct an on-the-spot probe.

In the first case, four tribal women were gang-raped by six Andhra Pradesh special police personnel in Eluru in Godavari district. In the second case, a mentally retarded tribal woman was abducted and raped by a villager from Polavaram.

Although all the six policemen and the driver of their vehicle were dismissed by the state government in the gang rape case, the NHRC sought compensation of Rs 50,000 and a piece of land to each victim. Commission sources said the Godavari district collector had assured the land to the victims. The women had been picked up at night on April 24 by the six accused -- who were on deputation to the state excise department -- and two others, a driver and his helper.

The women were taken to the office of the excise superintendent and gang-raped. The policemen have been dismissed and remanded to judicial custody in the Rajamundhry central jail.

The second case, regarding the abduction and rape of the mentally retarded woman, was registered under section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, making it a breach of trust case and not one regarding rape, which comes under section 376.

The woman gave birth to a child as a result and the mother and child are facing death due to starvation, the sources said.

Following much persuasion, the case was finally converted into one under section 376 and is nearing completion now, the sources said.