RTE complaints dominate DCPCR caseload as child rights panel receives 377 cases in three months

The Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) received 377 complaints between its reconstitution in July and September, with more than half relating to the Right to Education (RTE), according to data released by the child rights body Thursday. The commission also received 38 complaints under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and has taken suo motu cognisance of 56 cases during the period.

Of the 377 complaints, 206 were related to RTE, making education the largest category of grievances before the commission. Another 87 concerned juvenile justice, while the remaining complaints included 38 POCSO cases, 17 involving missing children, 16 concerning child labour and 13 related to health and nutrition.

North-West recorded most complaints

A district-wise breakup showed that North-West Delhi recorded the highest number of complaints at 61, while North-East accounted for 38 and East Delhi 35. West Delhi recorded 34 complaints and North Delhi 30, while South-West and South Delhi accounted for 41 each, Central Delhi 25 and South-East Delhi 24. Another 22 complaints were classified under miscellaneous cases.

DCPCR chairperson Om Prakash Vyas said the commission was working on interventions spanning education, child safety, sexual abuse awareness, nutrition and rehabilitation. The figures were released at a press conference where the commission outlined the initiatives taken since it was reconstituted after remaining vacant for nearly three years.

The commission has also intervened following the alleged rape of a 17-year-old girl at Astha Kunj Park. Vyas said a notice had been issued to the Deputy Commissioner of Police concerned, seeking an action taken report within two weeks on the case.

Push for self-defence classes

Against the backdrop of concerns over children’s safety, the commission has written to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and the MCD Mayor and Commissioner advocating mandatory and regular self-defence classes in schools across the Capital. The proposal seeks to make such training a continuing part of the school system rather than an occasional exercise.

The DCPCR is simultaneously conducting a city-wide awareness campaign on the POCSO Act aimed at children, parents and school staff. Vyas said the programme focuses on helping children understand safe and unsafe touch, creating awareness about reporting sexual offences and providing access to mental health counselling.

The commission’s intervention comes amid heightened concern over the safety of minors in public spaces and educational environments. Its decision to seek an action taken report in the Astha Kunj case has placed the police response to the alleged sexual assault within the child rights body’s scrutiny.

‘Bheekh nahi Seekh’ campaign

The DCPCR is also preparing to launch a “Child Beggar-Free Delhi” campaign, aimed not merely at rescuing children found begging but providing long-term care, emotional rehabilitation and their eventual integration into formal education. The initiative will involve coordination among multiple government departments to address the circumstances that push children into begging and ensure follow-up after rescue.

The commission has created a mascot, jingles, a logo and the slogan “Bheekh nahi Seekh” for the campaign, which Vyas said would be formally launched within a month. It also launched a dedicated child complaint helpline — 9220999390 — Tuesday to provide another channel through which complaints concerning children can be brought to its attention.

Vyas said the commission was also working on an initiative under which young people who had lived in childcare institutions and subsequently turned 18 could be provided employment opportunities. The measure is intended to support children leaving institutional care as they transition into independent adulthood.

Nutrition checks across Delhi

As part of Rashtriya Poshan Maah, the commission has conducted field inspections of centralised kitchens, Anganwadi centres and food-delivery systems to assess the quality of nutrition being provided to infants and lactating mothers. The inspections form part of its broader mandate to examine conditions affecting children’s health and nutritional rights.

The Delhi government reconstituted the DCPCR in July and appointed Vyas as its chairperson, with Rahul Gautam, Kundan Kanskar, Swati Gupta and Monika Sharma named as members. The appointments filled positions that had remained vacant for nearly three years, allowing the statutory child rights body to resume its work across the Capital.