Zero tolerance to violence against minors in custody: Delhi cops told amid concerns

Delhi Police has issued strict instructions to its officers to demonstrate "zero tolerance" towards any form of violence or ill-treatment against minors in custody, following numerous allegations of mistreatment. The directive, issued by the Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC) on August 10, was prompted by concerns raised during hearings before the Juvenile Justice Board-VII.

All district police units, as well as the Railway and Metro police, are required to ensure that juveniles involved in criminal incidents are not subjected to torture or any psychological or physical abuse. This includes prohibiting questioning of minors at unauthorized locations where CCTV surveillance could be avoided.

The order comes in response to various incidents that have raised concerns about the treatment of juveniles in police custody and juvenile homes. These include a video from May showing a teenager allegedly being manhandled at Sarai Rohilla police station, as well as cases of alleged sexual assault and mistreatment inside juvenile homes. The directive emphasizes that any allegations of violence or ill-treatment must be addressed "promptly, objectively and impartially" by a senior officer independent of the allegations.

To enforce these new rules, the SPUWAC has directed districts and other police units to conduct regular reviews of compliance and take corrective or preventive action as needed. This includes providing regular training for investigating officers, Child Welfare Police Officers, and other personnel who interact with juveniles, focusing on child-friendly policing, juvenile rights, legal safeguards, and appropriate methods of handling children.