Who can approach the Commission?
The child victim or on his/her behalf his/her parents/guardian or any child or a public spirited citizen or an institution or any voluntary organization can contact the Commission for registering any complaint or share any grievance or raise any issue of importance for best interest of children. However, no anonymous complaint would be entertained by the Commission to wastage of Commission’s time and energy. The identity of the Complainant can be kept secret, if the complainant desires so within the limit of Law.
When and How to approach the Commission?
One of the core mandates of the Commission is to inquire into complaints of Child Rights violations. The Commission can also take suo moto cognizance of serious cases of violation of Child Rights. The Commission can be contacted to register complaint against violation of children’s rights. Even one can contact the Commission, when one apprehends any danger or risk to any child or a group of children who are vulnerable and most likely to be abused or exploited, to take precautionary measures.
Grounds of lodging complaint
*Child Labour *Child Marriage *Child Sexual Abuse *Child in Difficult Situation *Violation of Right to Education *Child Trafficking *Child Torture or Death due to Torture or Negligence *Child in Need of Care and Protection *Child Legal Rights Violation *Child Mal-Nourishment, ill-treatment and exploitation *Child Corporal Punishment *Child Drug Peddling and Smuggling. *Child Begging, *Child Organ Trade, *Prohibition or Disclosure of Identity of Children, *Illegal Child Adoption-Selling and Buying Children, *Child Recruitment by Military Groups, *Offences Committed on Disabled Children*Any other Acts of violation inhibiting the enjoyment of Child Rights.
Procedures of Filing Complaint
Complaint must be sent to the Chairperson/Secretary, Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights in written form either in Manipuri or in English through post/mail/fax or in person. Complaint over phone should be the least preferred one, as it is necessary to have a written complaint to pursue the matter legally. No fee shall be charged on such complaints. The Commission may seek further information/affidavits as may be considered necessary.
While making a complaint, please ensure that the complaint is:
- Clear and legible and not vague, anonymous or pseudonymous.
- Genuine, not trivial or frivolous.
- Not related to civil disputes such as property rights, contractual obligations and the like.
- Not related to service matters.
- Not pending before any other Commission duly constituted under law or sub-judice before a court/tribunal.
- Not already decided by the Commission.
- Not outside the purview of the Commission on any other grounds.
How does the Commission address a Complaint?
Once the complaint is received, it is screened and examined carefully by the Commission to see that if it falls within the mandate of the Commission, and gives a clear picture of the matter leading to the complaint. Then it is classified and registered officially and given a special reference number for follow-up and future correspondence. At this stage the Commission acknowledges receipt of the Complaint and may ask for more information or affidavits as may be considered necessary. The complaint then, if required, is referred to a special committee/group of members/Member in-charge of District to chalk out a course of actions and is followed up with concerned persons/authorities until its logical conclusion. The Commission may opt for field investigation in the matter and collect evidences in the matter to explore the facts of the case. The Commission shall follow the procedure explained under “Power relating Inquiry” mentioned earlier while adjudicating the case. The Complainant is always kept informed of the progress in the matter.
Parameters of Justice
The Commission keeping its mandate in view has set for itself a set of parameters mentioned below to be used to adjudge the efficiency of its justice delivery mechanisms or processes.
- Voices of Children are adequately heard and recorded.
- The processes followed during adjudication of case are child friendly that respect the dignity of the child.
- The judgement or the final settlement of the matter serves the best interest of the child.
- The concern raised or complaint field is resolved within a minimum time period.