Haryana child rights body seeks probe into the matter

The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSCPCR) has taken exception to registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against two minor inmates of a child care institute here earlier this month in violation of child rights and the Juvenile Justice Act.

The commission has written to the district administration seeking a probe into the matter within a week.

HSCPCR member Balkrishan Goel wrote that the commission had taken suo motu cognisance of the registration of the FIR and directed Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh to probe the matter.

‘Illegal confinement’

The letter stated that the prima facie it seemed to be a matter of illegal confinement and serious violations of child rights and the JJ Act by all stakeholders.

It further said that the commission will not tolerate any negligence towards implementation of child rights.

The case pertains to registration of an FIR against two female inmates of Arushi Home, a child care institute in Palam Vihar, on May 12 on the charges of criminal intimidation and causing voluntarily hurt under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The FIR was registered following a complaint by a 16-year-old inmate alleging that the accused had beaten her with slippers and threatened her with dire consequences.

Palam Vihar Station House Officer Vikram Nehra said the case was registered as the complaint did not state the age of the two girls.

“The two girls have now been sent to a nari niketan in Karnal. We are in the process of quashing the FIR,” said Mr. Nehra.

Mr. Goel, who visited Gurugram in connection with the case, found that the Investigation Officer in the case had no knowledge of the JJ Ac and was not trained in dealing with juveniles.

‘Hasty, too harsh’

Child rights expert Anil Malhotra said registration of the FIR against the juveniles in this case seemed to be “hasty, too harsh and a totally uncalled for step”.

He said the matter should have been first brought to the notice of the Child Welfare Committee and the JJ Board, and a thorough investigation should have been conducted before registration of the FIR.

‘Police insensitivity’

Also, he said this showed the insensitivity of the police in dealing with juveniles.