Maharashtra Child Rights Panel Headless Again; Repeated Vacancies Spark Accountability Demands |
The position of Chairperson of the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MSCPCR) has once again fallen vacant, prompting fresh calls for accountability from activists working for child rights. This development echoes a previous lapse between 2020 and 2022, when the Commission remained non-functional because of the vacant chairperson post, resulting in a backlog of over 1,800 unresolved cases.
The term of the outgoing Chairperson Shushiben Shah, along with six commission members, officially ended on May 3. However, no new appointments have been made so far, raising concerns about the government’s preparedness and commitment to protecting children’s rights in the state.
While acknowledging that such a lapse had occurred in the past, Shah told The Free Press Journal, “The process is underway for the appointment of a new chairperson. Hopefully, someone will be appointed soon.”
The Commission, mandated to address issues such as student grievances, child labour, and cases of abuse, was originally established following the formation of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) by the Central Government in 2007. Each state was expected to set up its own body, yet Maharashtra has repeatedly faced criticism for not treating the matter with the seriousness it warrants.
Activists point out that a similar leadership vacuum between 2020 and 2022 severely affected the functioning of the Commission. At the time, the Commission was inundated with complaints related to student hardship and injustice, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with no leadership in place, the Commission was unable to act on these cases.
Frustrated with the prolonged inaction, Right to Education (RTE) activist Nitin Dalvi had filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court in 2022. Following the court’s intervention and a warning issued to the state government, appointments were finally made in June 2022, bringing temporary relief.
Now, with the same situation repeating, Dalvi has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government’s failure to ensure continuity in leadership. “Unless one approaches the court, the government does not act,” he said. Talking to the FPJ, he has confirmed plans to file a fresh petition in the Bombay High Court, seeking immediate appointments to the Commission and accountability from those responsible for the recurring delay.
Dalvi also alleged that the Department of Women and Child Development should have initiated the appointment process well in advance to prevent the leadership void. “The government’s continued neglect indicates a lack of commitment to the rights and welfare of children in Maharashtra,” he said.
Child rights advocates argue that delays in appointments not only hinder justice for vulnerable children but also undermine the very purpose of the Commission. With the body now once again rendered non-functional, the fate of hundreds of pending cases remains uncertain—adding to an already concerning history of administrative inaction.
