The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported gang rape of a 16-year-old Class 11 student from Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly inside a moving sleeper bus in the National Capital Region. The commission has sought an Action Taken Report from Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar within seven days, with details of the investigation and measures taken in the case.

NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has called for an expeditious investigation and custodial questioning of the accused to establish the sequence of events and the inter-state route allegedly travelled. She also directed authorities to ensure that provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita are applied appropriately, including provisions concerning aggravated offences and criminal intimidation where warranted.

The commission has also sought preservation and examination of forensic, physical and digital evidence connected to the case. This includes medical evidence, the impounded bus, GPS and telematics data, call detail records and CCTV footage along the route. The NCW has also directed that the survivor and her family receive protection and support, including legal assistance, psychological counselling and compensation under applicable schemes.

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In a separate case, the NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported sexual harassment and molestation of 22 minor girls at an Adivasi Ashram Shala in Maharashtra’s Thane district. The alleged incidents involve a kitchen helper at the institution, and the commission has sought a report from the authorities within a week while calling for a comprehensive investigation under the POCSO Act and BNS.

The NCW has also raised concerns over reports that the accused in the Thane case had previously been arrested under the POCSO Act in 2024 in connection with a similar offence and was subsequently posted at another institution. The commission has called for action against responsible officials, protection of the victims’ identities and immediate medical, psychological and legal support, along with compensation.

In a third case, the NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of the reported rape of an 11-year-old girl in Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, allegedly involving a 52-year-old government school headmaster. The commission has sought an Action Taken Report within seven days and called for strict legal and administrative action in the case, particularly given the alleged involvement of an educator entrusted with children’s safety.

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