On January 4, 2024, a 15-year-old girl, H*****, sought refuge at the Child Protection Institute (CPI) through helpline 1099, unveiling two years of sexual abuse and physical assault inflicted by her father, all while her mother remained unresponsive.
With the assistance of a friend, who worked at the day care centre of the Ministry of Human Rights, she was able to register her complaint at the helpline and found support at the Ministry of Human Rights, which led her to the Family Rehabilitation and Protection Center (FRPC). From FRPC, she was referred to the Child Protection Institute on January 1, 2024.
The CPI’s prompt involvement, guided by a dedicated Child Protection Officer (CPO), initiated a comprehensive assessment under the ICT Child Protection Act, 2018. While acknowledging the exhaustion of medical grounds due to delayed referral to CPI, the CPO recognised the urgency and ensured the immediate filing of an FIR.
Swift actions were taken by CPOs to bring the case to Khanna Police Station, where a thorough investigation was conducted. The victim’s statement was documented. The FIR, filed at 3:30 AM on January 5, 2024, was a pivotal step forward in H***** case. There was a slight delay in launching the FIR, as the girl kept changing her statement. Following that, the CPO took the girl for a medical examination at PIMS, but as the girl was passing through her monthly cycle, only her DNA was collected that day.
The journey faced challenges, including unnotified visits by the Investigation Officer (I.O) to the Women’s Shelter and recording H*****’s statements under section 164 of CrPC without informing the CPI. Despite communication gaps and the court granting custody to the mother, the CPI remained vigilant, conducting follow-up visits to ensure the girl’s safety.
The success in this story lies in the commitment of the CPI. Despite procedural hurdles, the CPI adhered to SOPs, providing support and monitoring to ensure the well-being of the girl.
