Circulating minor’s videos violates JJ Act, say activists protesting Champawat case

Dehradun: Social activists and child rights experts on Thursday criticised the circulation of videos of a minor linked to the controversial Champawat case, calling it a violation of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, even as authorities maintained that allegations of the 16-year-old girl’s gang rape were false.“It is a matter of grave concern if minors are being used to settle political scores. What is worse is that the girl’s videos are circulating widely on social media, which is a clear violation of the Juvenile Justice Act. As a society, we need to be more careful about the rights of minors,” said Dr Geeta Khanna, chairperson of the Uttarakhand child rights protection commission. Khanna also cited recent NCRB data showing a 54.4% rise in crimes against minors.Earlier in the day, senior police officials and the chief medical officer shared videos and statements disputing the claims made by the girl’s family, saying there was no evidence of rape. Champawat SP Rekha Yadav told TOI, “On Wednesday morning, we received information about the gang rape of a minor, and three persons were accused in the matter. However, during the collection of manual and technical evidence, the findings did not match the girl’s statement. Later, the minor girl admitted that Kamal Rawat was the conspirator and had staged the scene. The girl also stated in her section 164 statement that no rape had taken place. The CMO also said that the medical team found no signs of force on her body.”“The investigation was started based on the initial report. However, during the questioning, the girl provided contradicting statements about the incident. Meanwhile, the medical examination also showed no signs of sexual assault.”Social activists staged a protest at Gandhi Park in Dehradun, condemning the handling of the case. “The same police force that initially claimed to have recovered the girl from a locked room with her hands and feet tied is now calling the incident fabricated. Without initiating any judicial inquiry process, and after subjecting them to enticement, intimidation and threats, they coerced the girl into making statements of their own choosing,” alleged Kamla Pant of Uttarakhand Mahila Manch.Protesters accused the administration of attempting to suppress the matter and questioned women’s safety in the state. They also referred to other recent crimes against women, including the Rishikesh resort murder case and a recent killing in Dehradun’s Paltan Bazaar, alleging a pattern of delayed justice.Senior Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana said the contradictory versions issued by police had raised serious questions about the incident and its investigation. “...Police characterised the incident as a conspiracy orchestrated by the former BJP Mandal president to frame the incumbent Mandal vice president.”(With inputs from Prem Punetha in Champawat)