Alka Lamba removed from NCW panel probing molestation case

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Congress leader Alka Lamba was on Monday removed from a fact-finding team of National Women's Commission (NCW), which looked into the case of molestation of a 17-year-old girl in Guwahati, for making public the victim's identity.

Lamba had gone to Guwahati as part of an NCW team and during a press meet made public the victim's name, leading to condemnation from various people, including BJP's Smriti Irani, who said it was violation of Supreme Court directives.

"We have removed Lamba from the team. She was one of the members of the fact-finding team. It was wrong on her part to publicise the name of the victim. That is the reason she was removed," NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma said.

Reacting to the controversy over the issue, Lamba sought to defend herself saying the name of the victim was already in public domain. "It was already in the news from last six-seven days. I did not do anything," she said.

Earlier in the day, Lamba, said they were preparing a report on the issue.

"We should not be in a hurry because it is really a sensitive issue. We should give as much time to this. So that we can reach some conclusion and catch hold of the culprits," she said.

She said those who attacked the girl were about 12 to 20 and some of them have been arrested while others have to be identified.

"Assam Police have assured us that they will take strict action," she said. The teenager was assaulted when she came out of a bar in the heart of the city on July 9. Eight persons have so far been arrested in connection with the incident.