A 7-Year-Old Found Naked and Unconscious in Jaunpur: NHRC Monitoring, Police Action, and Delayed Compensation
The recovery of a 7-year-old minor girl in a naked and unconscious condition in Kerakat, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, in July 2024, represents one of the most disturbing forms of violence against children. While the criminal justice system did respond through arrest and prosecution, the delay in victim compensation and administrative follow-up exposes persistent structural failures in implementing child-protection laws.
This case, currently monitored by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), highlights both institutional response and institutional delay.
Case Identification
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NHRC Diary No.: 10249/IN/2024
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NHRC Case/File No.: 17032/24/39/2024
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Incident Category: Child Rape
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Victim: 7-year-old minor girl
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Incident Date: 01–03 July 2024
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Incident Place: Kerakat, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh
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Complainant: Lenin Raghuvanshi
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Mode of Complaint: HRCNet / Online
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Registration Date: 28 August 2024
Incident as Reported
According to media reports and NHRC records:
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The child went missing during a marriage ceremony
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She was later found naked and unconscious about 400 meters from her home
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Family members immediately dialed 112
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The child’s condition was critical; she was referred to Varanasi for better treatment
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The incident caused widespread panic and outrage in the locality
This incident clearly amounts to aggravated penetrative sexual assault on a minor, attracting the most stringent provisions of Indian law.
Criminal Case Status
As per the report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Jaunpur:
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FIR No.: 245/2024, PS Kerakat
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Sections Invoked:
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Section 376AB IPC
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Sections 5(m) / 6 POCSO Act
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Initially registered against unknown persons
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Four police teams were constituted for investigation
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Accused Raju was identified and arrested on 05 July 2024
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Chargesheet filed:
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CS No. A-209/24 dated 24 August 2024
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The matter is now sub judice
From a criminal law perspective, police investigation and prosecution progressed promptly.
NHRC’s Role and Intervention
NHRC Cognizance
The NHRC took cognizance of the case based on:
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Media reporting
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Complaint highlighting police inaction and victim vulnerability
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Request for compensation and protection
Key NHRC Directions
Between September 2024 and February 2025, NHRC issued multiple directions to:
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Superintendent of Police, Jaunpur
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District Magistrate, Jaunpur
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Chief Secretary, Uttar Pradesh
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Director General of Police, UP
Compensation Delay: A Serious Rights Violation
Legal Entitlement
Under the Uttar Pradesh Rani Laxmibai Mahila Evam Bal Samman Kosh Rules, 2015:
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First installment: Within 15 days of FIR
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Second installment: Within 30 days of chargesheet
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Applicable specifically under Section 6 POCSO
Reality on Ground
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Proposal for compensation was uploaded on the portal
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No payment made even after two months
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NHRC noted lack of clarity on:
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Medical officer’s report upload
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Administrative follow-up by District Magistrate
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NHRC Observation (21 February 2025)
“Payment of compensation was supposed to be made within the prescribed timeline. There is no development thereafter.”
NHRC directed the District Magistrate, Jaunpur to expedite payment and submit compliance within six weeks.
Human Rights Analysis
1. Violation of Article 21
The incident represents a grave violation of the child’s:
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Right to life
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Right to dignity
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Right to bodily integrity
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Right to protection from sexual violence
2. Child Protection Failure
The occurrence during a social function exposes:
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Lack of child safety mechanisms
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Absence of preventive vigilance
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Community-level protection gaps
3. Compensation Delay = Secondary Victimization
Failure to release timely compensation:
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Violates statutory rules
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Aggravates trauma
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Undermines survivor-centric justice
4. Accountability Gap
While police action was relatively swift, administrative inertia by district authorities diluted the relief mechanism meant for child survivors.
Why This Case Matters
This case shows that:
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Justice is not complete with arrest alone
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Victim compensation is a legal right, not charity
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Administrative delay can undo the purpose of progressive laws like POCSO
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NHRC monitoring remains crucial to push state accountability
Conclusion
A child found naked and unconscious is not merely a crime statistic—it is a failure of society, state vigilance, and administrative responsibility. While the criminal law has moved forward, justice remains incomplete until compensation reaches the survivor without delay.
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