Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken serious cognizance of claims regarding a minor girl getting injured during the ‘Chalo Sansad’ protest in Delhi.
Regarding the post made on the social media platform X by journalist Saurav Das, the Commission has issued a clear warning that if his claims are proven false, an FIR will be registered against him.
A bench headed by @India_NHRC member @KanoongoPriyank has issued notices to the Department of Women and Child Development of the Delhi Government, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and the Delhi Police Commissioner, seeking an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. The Commission has initiated an inquiry into this matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The complaint alleged that the minor was put in danger during the protest and a 12-year-old girl sustained a head injury.
The Commission has immediately directed the concerned authorities to trace the girl, provide her with proper medical facilities, and produce her before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). It also directed them to ascertain who brought the child to the protest site. If any official is found to have assaulted or mistreated the girl, appropriate legal action should be taken against them. The Commission clarified that in matters concerning the safety of minors, the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act must be strictly followed.
Regarding the information circulated by Saurav Das, the NHRC stated that if this information is found to be misleading or false, legal action will be taken against him, including the registration of an FIR. Delhi Police had already refuted these claims, clarifying that no 12-year-old girl was injured with a head wound, nor has there been any confirmation of 40–50 people being injured. Issuing a fact-check post on social media, the police stated, “This information is completely false. Do not spread such misleading news.”
This incident once again raises the issue of children’s safety during protests and the responsible dissemination of information on social media. Experts believe that involving minors in political protests is not only a violation of their rights but is also dangerous to their physical and mental health. This step by the NHRC serves as a warning to all those who make unverified claims on sensitive issues and create confusion in society.
The Commission’s action is expected to not only ensure the safety of the child but also enforce responsibility on social media in similar cases in the future. If Saurav Das’s claims are proven correct, strict action will be taken against the culprits; otherwise, legal proceedings will be initiated against him. This event highlights the need to maintain a balance between freedom of expression and human rights in a democracy.