The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has ordered the Odisha government to submit an action-taken report within seven days regarding the alleged rape of an eight-year-old tribal girl at a state-run hostel in Koraput district.
Following a complaint from the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD), the NCST issued a formal notice to senior government officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department, the Principal Secretary of the ST & SC Development Department, and the Director General of Police. Officials must submit the report via post, in person, or other official channels.
The commission warned that failure to comply within the given timeframe could lead to legal proceedings under Article 338A of the Constitution. This clause grants the NCST civil court powers, allowing it to summon representatives and enforce accountability.
The incident, which occurred on April 13 at the Guneipada ST-SC Girls’ Hostel in Kalapada village, has sparked outrage. The BJD criticised the state government for its lack of serious punitive action in similar cases, pointing out that 26 students have tragically lost their lives in state-run institutions since July 2024.
With concerns mounting over safety and governance, public attention is now focused on whether the Odisha government will respond effectively within the deadline.
