Supreme Court rejects plea seeking free hand for Delhi Police to deal with protesters

In a recent development, the Delhi High Court has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to decide on the rehabilitation of a 17-year-old Adivasi girl from Jharkhand. The girl has been staying at a shelter home in Delhi since August 1, following her mother's plea for custody. The mother claims that her daughter was taken to Delhi for domestic work without her knowledge, while the Delhi Police report suggests that the girl accompanied her parents and a known woman to Delhi.

The family alleges that the minor left home in July, and despite the mother's efforts, custody could not be secured. The High Court ordered the CWC to promptly decide the minor's welfare and rehabilitation within 10 days, without expressing any opinion on the rehabilitation methods. The mother, who has been in Delhi for 15 days, expressed her struggles in finding her daughter, stating she has limited Hindi knowledge, no money, and no place to live.

She alleged that CWC officials questioned her for not filing an FIR, as she was unaware of its significance. The mother last spoke to her daughter in September, and her lawyer cited a September 2 social outfit report to support her claim. However, the Delhi Police report presents a different version, stating that the girl arrived in Delhi with a familiar woman and her parents' consent.

The CWC chairperson confirmed that the court order would be followed and expressed lack of information regarding the minor's current situation, assuring there was no cause for concern.