Srinagar: In the matter regarding the constitution of the much-awaited State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the J&K High Court on Monday adjourned the matter to mid-August after the government sought another four weeks to apprise it of further progress on the issue.
Hearing a public interest litigation filed in 2020 A R Malik, the Senior Additional Advocate General (AAG), with reference to the averment made in para 7 of the status report dated May 29, 2025, submitted that the process as regards the scrutiny of the applications, received by respondent authority, is in progress.
“And as indicated in the affidavit, shall be concluded within four weeks from today, whereupon, not much time would be required to constitute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights”, he informed the court.
He submitted that proceedings be deferred by four weeks so as to apprise this court of the further progress made in this regard.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Arun Palli and Justice Rajnesh Oswal after hearing the AAG directed the registry to adjourn the matter to August 13, 2025.
The court had in May this year granted the government “last opportunity” to make its position clear regarding the setting up of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in the erstwhile state.
The bench comprising the same judges had expressed their discontent at the official position on the matter and observed that despite repeated orders passed by the court, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, in terms of Section 44 of the Protection of the Child from Sexual Offences Act, 2012, has not been constituted.
Subsequently, the Secretary to the Government, Social Welfare Department, was asked to appear before it. Accordingly, Sanjeev Verma, Secretary, SWD, joined the proceedings virtually.
The court interacted with him at length, and the officer fairly admitted that although the advertisement to select and appoint the members, as also the Chairperson of the Commission, was issued way back in June 2023, the process of selection is still at the nascent stage.
However, considering the sensitivity of the matter, as also that a considerable time has already elapsed, the Secretary prayed for a short accommodation to furnish a specific affidavit, indicating the precise time that was required to complete the selection process.
As there is already a lot of delay in appointment of members of the Protection of Child Rights Commission as such the Division Bench has already directed the authorities to produce the process of selection before the court.
The court took matter with the utmost seriousness and had observed that it deserves in view of the important statutory role the Commission plays.
