The Hindu : National : I will ask CBI to probe Patan case: Buta Singh

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I will ask CBI to probe Patan case: Buta Singh

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, Buta Singh, has said he would take steps to get the case of gang rape of a girl by six teachers at the government-run primary teachers’ training college at Patan in Gujarat inquired by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr. Singh said he wanted to take the initiative to transfer the case to the CBI since the Gujarat government had taken it “lightly.” The government merely ordered a magisterial inquiry into the case.

“No parallel”

Mr. Singh said there was no parallel to the crime as it was reported that the six teachers had been assaulting the girl for some time.

Addressing a seminar organised by the SC and ST employees welfare association of Income-Tax department earlier, Mr. Singh said his review of welfare measures for SCs in the last three five-year plans revealed shocking results. The funds allotted for their welfare were diverted, misused or allowed to lapse.

In spite of the Planning Commission allotting the funds and the Parliament making budgetary allocation, he said he could state with all authority that not even a third of the money was spent.

Mr. Singh, who took over as Commission chairman in May, said vested interests which were hostile towards the reservation policy for Scheduled Castes often moved the court for interpretation of law.

The Supreme Court delivered seven contradictory judgments on a single issue on different occasions.

“The judiciary has no business to tamper with Constitutional provisions for SCs,” he remarked.

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