New Delhi, February 11 The NHRC said on Wednesday that it has taken cognizance of a media report alleging that five minors were allegedly held captive for 18 hours at a building under construction in Gurugram, Haryana, and has issued a notice to the city police commissioner.
"The victims were reportedly stripped, sexually assaulted, and tortured. The perpetrators allegedly also poured petrol on them," the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said in a statement, adding that a detailed report on the matter has been sought within two weeks.
The rights panel has observed that, if the news report is true, it raises serious concerns about the violation of the children's human rights.
The commission has taken "suo motu cognizance of a media report that five children, aged between 11 and 14 years, were allegedly held captive for 18 hours at a building under construction in the DLF Phase 3 area of Gurugram in Haryana," it said.
Reportedly, the children were "detained" by the contractor and four of his workers, on the suspicion that they were "attempting to steal some construction material," the statement said.
Therefore, it has issued a notice to the police commissioner, seeking a detailed report within two weeks, the NHRC said.
According to the media report, published on February 5, upon reaching the spot, the children's mothers were also made to sit with them and subjected to humiliation by the perpetrators. The incident came to light when the mother of one of the victims approached the police to register a complaint on February 3, the statement said.
