Date:20/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112051610300.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Panel seeks report on child

Staff Reporter

KOZHIKODE: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has sought a report from district authorities on the condition of a three-year-old girl who allegedly was inflicted burn injuries by her parents with the purpose of soliciting her for alms begging.

Commission chairman V.P. Mohankumar’s directive came in a suo motu case. The commission, at a sitting here on Wednesday, directed Additional District Magistrate D. Bhaskaran to submit a report on the girl child.

It is alleged that a couple from Karnataka had inflicted burns on their child allegedly with the motive of using her for begging.

The mother of the child was arrested recently when the matter was brought to the notice of authorities. She was released on bail on November 15. Her father is absconding.

Students’ petition

The rights panel, in another directive, asked the authorities to initiate action as per the Kerala Educational Rules against the management of the ASV UP School.

The order was based on a complaint by students of the school that the institution lacked basic facilities such as furniture and toilets.