NHRC Seeks Reports Over Alleged Use of Minors in Mumbai Protest

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the Union electronics and information technology ministry and other authorities over a complaint alleging the mobilisation and involvement of minors in a public protest held in Mumbai on October 2.

The commission has sought action-taken reports within a week.

According to the NHRC proceedings, the complainant also alleged that photographs and videos of minors linked to the protest were subsequently circulated on social media.

The complaint referred to posts on a social media platform allegedly showing a child being held above a crowd while carrying the national flag and a placard, as slogans were raised and people recorded the scene on mobile phones.

The complainants alleged that children were involved by persons described as being associated with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), prompting the commission to seek an examination of the role of organisers, coordinators, accompanying adults and others who may have facilitated the participation of minors.

The complaints also referred to purported group and chat discussions said to relate to the planning and coordination of the protest, in which the participation of minors was allegedly discussed in advance.

According to the NHRC, it was specifically alleged that the involvement of minors was discussed on the premise that police might not detain them, raising concerns over whether children were consciously used to discourage or restrict lawful police action.

There was no immediate response from the CJP.

An NHRC bench headed by member Priyank Kanoongo took cognisance of the complaint.

The commission said it had also received complaints from the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation and another organisation on the issue.

The NHRC observed that the matter went beyond the mere presence of children at a public gathering.

“The allegations, if established, raise a more serious concern regarding the planned mobilisation or instrumental use of minors with knowledge of their age and vulnerability, including their possible use as a shield against lawful police action, besides their exposure through photographs/videos subsequently disseminated on social media,” the commission said.

It said the allegations raised serious concerns relating to the dignity, safety, privacy and protection of children and possible exploitation, warranting examination under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The commission said the role of persons having actual charge or control over the children, organisers, accompanying adults and others alleged to have planned or facilitated their participation would need to be examined.

It held that the allegations disclosed a prima facie serious child rights and human rights concern requiring intervention under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.

Notices have been issued to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, the secretary of the Union electronics and information technology ministry, the grievance officer of X in India and the principal secretary of Maharashtra’s women and child development department.

The commission directed the authorities to ensure that the identity, privacy, dignity and best interests of the children were protected during the proceedings and that their identities were not unnecessarily exposed further.

The Maharashtra women and child development department was asked to ensure rescue, care and protection of the children under the Juvenile Justice Act.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner was also directed to investigate the allegations and register FIRs wherever cognisable offences were disclosed.

The NHRC further asked police to secure digital evidence and issue requests to X and other platforms concerned. X was directed to preserve the digital trail relating to the content and accounts involved, including post IDs, timestamps, registration and login details, IP information and relevant metadata.