The Delhi High Court has sought a status report from the Delhi Government on vacancies in the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), while flagging that observation homes in the national capital are currently housing more than twice their sanctioned capacity.

A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma directed the Secretary of Delhi Government's Women and Child Development Department to file an affidavit specifying the status of vacancies in the DCPCR and the time within which they would be filled.

The affidavit has been directed to be filed by November 18.

The Court also sought the views of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development on the composition and functioning of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Flagging the situation in observation homes in Delhi, the Court was informed that the number of children housed there was more than double their sanctioned capacity.

Taking note of the situation, the Bench observed that the existing logistics, support, standards and facilities were inadequate as they were provided only in accordance with the sanctioned capacity.

The Court said the issue required a response from the Delhi Government and directed the Chief Secretary to file a counter-affidavit addressing the overcrowding in observation homes.

The Bench also reminded the authorities of the warning issued by it in its order dated February 18.

The matters have been listed for further hearing on November 20.

Earlier this week, a coordinate bench had rapped the Delhi Government over its delay in filling up vacancies despite multiple assurances. It had said that the matter will be viewed seriously if the vacancies were not filled by April second week.

In 2024, a coordinate bench had directed the Delhi Government to complete the formalities of the selection process for filling vacancies in all the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) by April 15, 2024.

The bench has been hearing various petitions on the issue, including a suo motu public interest litigation initiated in 2018 after a ruling of the Supreme Court concerning the deficiencies in the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.