○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ Complaints Before the Commission ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ 4.134 As the requisite response from the State Government. functionaries were not received despite follow up action, the Commission vide its proceedings dated 7-3-05, observed as under :“The Commission expresses its serious concern over its long delay in sending the comments/ remarks to the Justice Sadashiva Panel report. It was sent to the State Governments more than a year ago. Final opportunity is, therefore, granted to the State Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to send their comments/remarks in respect of the various recommendations made by Justice Sadashiva Panel within six weeks. In case response is not received in that period, the Commission shall be constrained to exercise its powers u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.” Note: The reports from the two State Governments were received after 31-3-05 (on 2-5-05) coinciding with the writing of this Annual Report. 22. Merciless beating of Smt. Susheela Devi by landlord and his accomplice, West Champaran District. Bihar - Case No. 1852/4/2002-2003 (WC)/FC 4.135 The Commission received a complaint from Smt. Susheela Devi, a landless Scheduled Caste labourer, Distt. West Champaran, Bihar alleging that on asking for wages she herself and other labourers were mercilessly beaten and attacked with fire-arms and stripped off and forced to sit naked for 4-5 hours by the landlord and his accomplice. When the matter was reported to the Inspector of Police, PS Subhadra, no action was taken. 4.136 In response to the Commission’s notice, SP, West Champaran, Bihar sent a report stating that a Cr. No. 35/2002 u/s 147, 148, 149, 324, 448, 379, 427, 120-B IPC & 3(1) (x) of the Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 was registered against 12 persons by name and 40-50 unknown persons. All the named accused persons surrendered before the court and were subsequently granted bail. 4.137 The Commission vide its proceedings date 11-8-2003 considered the above report and directed DM, West Champaran to furnish information about the payment of compensation envisaged under the Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. 4.138 Pursuant to the Commission’s directions, DM, West Champaran, Bihar vide his report dated 14-12-2004 has informed the Commission that payment of compensation of Rs.25,000/under the provisions of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Act/Rules had been made through cheque to the victim and the charge-sheet against the accused persons has also been filed in the concerned court. 4.139 On consideration of the aforesaid report, the Commission vide its proceedings dated 20-12-2004, took the report on record and closed the case. National Human Rights Commission Annual Report - 2004-2005 AR-Chapter-1-19-10-6-06.p65 69 49 7/17/06, 6:29 PM