Maharashtra Child Rights Chair Urges Enhanced Police Measures for Child Safety

Susieben Shah, president of Maharashtra State Child Rights Protection Commission, has called on police to prioritize children's safety and establish a Child Safety Officer at every station. Her remarks came during a workshop on child protection laws, following a sexual assault case in Thane that sparked public outrage.

Susieben Shah, president of the Maharashtra State Child Rights Protection Commission, has urged police to prioritize the safety of children and take immediate action when their rights are violated.

Speaking at a workshop for police officials on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act, Shah stressed the need for a dedicated 'Child Safety Officer' at every police station.

'Every police station must have a dedicated and separate police officer for child safety and security. It is our utmost responsibility to ensure that children's rights are protected, and any breach of this must be addressed with urgency,' she said.

This call to action follows the Badlapur sexual assault case, according to Thane police. A sweeper at a private school in Badlapur town of Thane district was arrested last month for sexually assaulting two 4-year-old girls, causing public outrage. The accused was killed in retaliatory police firing on Monday.

Shah also advocated for a comprehensive audit of schools within each police station's jurisdiction. Special Inspector General of Police Ashwati Dorje highlighted the challenges in securing cooperation from victims' families, while child rights activist Santosh Shinde emphasized the need for dedicated child welfare officers.

Gajanan Chavan from the Maharashtra and Goa State Bar Council discussed the police's legal responsibilities, particularly in gathering evidence and presenting strong charge sheets in court.

(With inputs from agencies.)