- State Commission for Protection of Child Rights orders strict legal action against individuals, institutions and trustees violating child-protection laws
- Chairperson Dharmishthaben Gajjar directs officials to take suo motu cognisance of serious cases involving abuse, exploitation and assault of children
- Special review meeting in Gandhinagar focuses on safeguarding children from physical and psychological abuse and ensuring accountability
NE NEWS SERVICE
GANDHINAGAR, AUG 11
For institutions entrusted with the care and protection of children, the message from Gujarat’s child-rights watchdog is unequivocal: violation of child-protection laws will invite the full force of the law.
The Gujarat State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has adopted a strong stance against serious offences involving children, including physical and psychological abuse, exploitation, atrocities and assault.
A special review meeting was held in Gandhinagar under the chairpersonship of Dharmishthaben Gajjar, with discussions centred on stringent action against persons and institutions found responsible for violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.
Gajjar said: “No guilty person who violates the rights and entitlements of children will be spared. The Commission is committed to taking the strictest possible action against them in accordance with the legal provisions.”
“Zero tolerance” for child abuse
The Chairperson said the Commission has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards cases of abuse and exploitation of children.
She directed officials to take suo motu cognisance and initiate stringent legal proceedings against persons responsible for violations of the POCSO Act and the Juvenile Justice Act.
The directions also extend to institutional managements and trustees, placing accountability on those responsible for establishments entrusted with children’s care, safety and welfare.
The Commission’s position underscores the need for institutions dealing with children to maintain strict compliance with statutory safeguards and to ensure that children’s rights are protected at every level.
Watchdog turns spotlight on institutional accountability
The review meeting examined cases involving serious violations of child rights and the legal action required against those responsible.
The Commission emphasised that child protection cannot be reduced to an institutional formality and that violations must trigger appropriate legal consequences.
The meeting was attended by D D Kapadia, Secretary of the Commission, along with members Varshaben Patel, Amrutaben Akhiya and Kamleshbhai Rathod.
Other senior officials of the Commission also participated in the deliberations.
The Commission’s latest stand places the spotlight squarely on accountability, statutory compliance and institutional responsibility, sending a strong message that organisations entrusted with children cannot afford lapses in protection.
A child’s safety is not a policy option—Gujarat’s Child-Rights Commission says POCSO and JJ Act violations will meet zero tolerance.
