The Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSCPCR) Chairperson Tripti Sheoran has directed the police to register an FIR in an alleged assault case involving two juveniles at a Place of Safety in Madhuban. Sheoran expressed serious concern over the delay in action despite a complaint having been lodged with the police.
Chairperson pulls up police for lack of knowledge on Juvenile Justice Act
According to The Tribune, Sheoran also pulled up police personnel for their inadequate knowledge of provisions under the Juvenile Justice Act. She called for immediate measures to strengthen child protection mechanisms in the district.
Haryana Human Rights Commission had ordered inquiry earlier
Earlier, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) had ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the case. The HHRC directed the Police Department, the Women and Child Development Department, and the Superintendent of the Place of Safety in Madhuban to submit separate detailed reports, as reported by ThePrint.
Complaint details and alleged assault
The complainant alleged that two staff members of the institution brutally assaulted the juveniles. The case has raised serious questions about the safety of children in state-run facilities. The Times of India also reported that a panel has ordered a probe into the alleged assault of minors at the Madhuban centre, as per The Times of India.
Our Take: Accountability and child safety must be the priority
This case highlights a troubling pattern of delays in addressing complaints of violence against children in institutional care. In our view, the chairperson's direct intervention is necessary, but it should not have come to this. The fact that police personnel lacked basic knowledge of the Juvenile Justice Act is alarming. If those responsible for enforcing child protection laws are not trained properly, children remain vulnerable. The Haryana government must ensure that all such facilities are regularly inspected and that staff are held accountable. The safety of children in state care cannot be compromised.
