NCPCR Demands FIR Over Alleged Use Of Minor Children For Aarey Protests By Aditya Thackeray
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has demanded registration of an FIR over the alleged use of minor children for the "Save Aarey Protest" by Maharashtra MLA Aaditya Thackeray.
Thackeray had tweeted photographs of his participation in a protest against the proposed Metro car shed in the Aarey. The photograph showed children participating in the protest holding placards.
Dhrutiman Joshi, the legal head of Sahyadri Rights Forum had filed a complaint before the NCPCR against Aditya Thackeray. It was alleged in the complaint that children were used for a political campaign and that it amounted to child labour.
"The commission while taking cognizance of the matter u/s l3 (1) (j) of CPCR Act, 2005, is of the view that such an act is prima facie in contravention of Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and protection of Children) Act,2015, Child & Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Article 21 (Right to Life) & Article 23(Right to protection from forced labour) of the Constitution of India and relevant Sections of Indian Penal Code, 1860", the NCPCR has said in its notice issued to the Mumbai Commissioner of Police, Vivek Phansalkar IPS.
The NCPCR has called upon the Commissioner to investigate the matter and register an FIR. "The children should be identified and produced before the Child Welfare Committee as per Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 for recording their statements", the notice says.
The Commission has also asked for an Action Taken Report along with a copy of the FIR and statement of children within 3 days of the notice of July 11.
