DCPCR Constitutes Inquiry Panel Headed By Rtd. Justice Madan B Lokur As Chairperson To Assess Issues Experienced By Juveniles In Observation Homes

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) has constituted a four member inquiry panel to be headed by Retired Justice Madan B Lokur as Chairperson for assessing and identifying the issues and challenges experienced by children in conflict with law residing in various observation homes, special homes and place of safety in the city.

The order issued dated January 3, 2022 states that the inquiry shall look into the following matters:

- Assessment of awareness of the legal proceedings and status of their cases inquiry among children alleged to be in conflict with law and children in conflict with law who are residing in various Observation Homes, Place of Safety and Special Homes, situated in National capital Territory of Delhi.

- Duration of their stay in these institutions along with the reasons thereof.

- Identification of issues and challenges experienced by such children in securing bail or release and in securing leave, quality and effectiveness of legal services available to them and their experiences with the police.

- Demographic profile involving social, economic and educational status of the family of such children.

The Inquiry Panel so constituted includes the following members:

- Justice (Retired) Madan B. Lokur as Chairperson

- Suneita Ojha, Member

- Sneha Singh, Member

- Ajay Verma, Member

The members of the Inquiry Panel, individually or collectively, are authorized to visit the Observation Homes with at least one day prior intimation, through the secretariat of DCPCR to the Persons In-charge of concerned child care institutions and also to interact and interview children without the presence of any staff.

The panel members are also authorized and to have access to their records available in the institution to obtain facts and relevant information for the purpose of inquiry.

Furthermore, the order states that the members of the Inquiry Panel shall file a confidentiality undertaking with the Commission to ensure complete privacy of the children and the records and information accessed as part of the inquiry.

"The Panel shall submit its report to the Commission and shall undertake to not reveal or share the report, any part thereof or findings of the inquiry to any entity or entities without the written permission of the Commission," the order adds.

The Inquiry Panel shall write a joint report based on their inquiry and submit the same within five weeks of the issuance of the order. Furthermore, the Inquiry Panel shall stand dissolved automatically on submission of the joint report.

Click Here To Read Order