The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the commissions for protection of child rights in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to prepare a list of all registered and unregistered child care institutions and get them inspected within two months.
Justice Surya Kant, while hearing a petition filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, a movement campaigning for the rights of children, in his order on September 7, stated, “The Commission for both the States as well as Union Territory of Chandigarh shall prepare a list of all the registered and unregistered child care institutions, get the same inspected from the Child Welfare Committees and prepare a comprehensive status report with regard to the deficiencies, if any, noticed in the functioning of such institutions. The reports shall be submitted to the principal secretaries of respective State governments and advisor to the UT Administration, Chandigarh, within two months. (sic)”
Advocate Anil Malhotra, assisting the High Court as amicus curiae, said that unregistered institutions and those with deficiencies would face strict action as all such registered institutions have to comply with the Juvenile Justice Act.
Mr. Malhotra, referring to instances of child abuse reported in Punjab and Haryana, pleaded for remedial measures, saying that the commissions and committees were duty-bound to monitor child rights under various laws.
The court order added that the State governments and Chandigarh (UT) shall be required to take immediate remedial measures and will take strict action.