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Police & Health Department must inform CWC & DCPU in rape cases involve minors- DC Sakshi Sawhney
Directs shifting of those turned 18 from observation home to place of safety
DC reviews functioning of CWC and DCPU
Ludhiana, August 22
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney on Thursday directed the police and health departments to promptly inform the child welfare committee (CWC) or the district child protection unit (DCPU) in cases of rape involving minors, in accordance with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Sawhney, accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Anmol Singh Dhaliwal and District Child Protection Officer Rashmi, reviewed the functioning of the Child Welfare Committee and District Child Protection Unit. She emphasized that under the act, the police have to report the minor rape case to the Child Welfare Committee within 24 hours of recording the complaint to arrange for the long-term rehabilitation of the child victim, including proper care and safety. She also emphasized that the health department must also inform the CWC/DCPO in this regard.
Sawhney also ordered the shifting of inmates from Observation Home, Shimlapuri who have turned 18 during the pendency of trial to the Place of Safety, a separate building. She stressed that these individuals should not remain inside the observation home with other juveniles. Further, special educators will be assigned to Sehyog Half Way Home for Mentally Retarded, Jamalpur, to teach the specially-abled kids in the home on a regular basis. Additionally, computer faculty will also be appointed to teach the children lodged in the observation.
The Deputy Commissioner also emphasized the need for regular sports competitions, cultural events, and the celebration of festivals in these homes to engage the children in recreational activities. She mentioned that these children will also participate in the upcoming Kheda Watan Punjab Diyan. Moreover, she also took stock of the working of the private observation homes, children care centres and adoption agencies.
Prominent amongst present in the meeting included Manjinder Kaur, Amandeep Kaur, CWC members Sangeeta, Ruchi Bawa, and Adarsh Sharma.
