‘The Chandigarh Administration, instead of addressing the issue, is trying to settle a battle with the Trust, which has outlined an assistance package for the victim. But this would be impossible to implement if the Administration does not perform its responsibility’

The Chandigarh Administration has the primary responsibility towards the Nari Niketan rape victim and we cannot allow it to shirk its duty, wrote Dr Javed Abidi, Convenor of Disabled Rights Group (DRG) to the UT Administrator Gen (Retd) S F Rodrigues.

Abidi is also a member of the sub-committee of the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities constituted to prepare a road map for the welfare of the 19-year-old mentally challenged girl, who was raped at Nari Niketan a few months ago.

“Instead of providing relief to the victim, the Chandigarh Administration is continuously trying to deny its responsibility as the primary duty bearer for the victim and the yet to be born child,” reads Abidi’s letter to Rodrigues.

Abidi has written that the National Trust will offer complete assistance to the victim and the yet-to-born-child. “We will offer best possible assistance to the mother and her child,” he said.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court had earlier turned down Chandigarh Administration’s request to terminate the pregnancy of the girl.

Abidi has requested the Administrator to help the rape victim.

“She was abandoned by her family. We plead to bring an end to the woes of this woman. She is in need of immediate care,” the letter reads.

... contd.