Overview
- The National Human Rights Commission took suo motu cognisance and on Wednesday issued notices to the Directors General of Police of Odisha and Uttar Pradesh plus the Dhenkanal district magistrate asking for a detailed report within two weeks.
- The action follows a May 29 media report that said a 17‑year‑old tribal girl from Kankadahada, Dhenkanal, was lured to Jhansi on the pretext of work, confined, repeatedly sexually assaulted, forced to undergo an abortion and later sold for ₹50,000 before she escaped.
- According to the NHRC statement, the girl escaped with help from a local advocate and went to Jhansi police whose response was limited to recording her statement and giving her a train ticket back to Odisha; Odisha Police later recorded her statement and say an investigation is underway.
- The NHRC has asked state authorities to supply the current status of the criminal probe, the steps taken for the survivor's relief and rehabilitation, and measures to locate the three other girls who were reportedly trafficked with her.
- The commission's notice highlights cross‑state accountability gaps in trafficking and policing and could trigger faster coordination between Uttar Pradesh and Odisha on investigation, victim protection and efforts to find other possible victims.