By IANS,
New Delhi : The Delhi High Court Monday reserved its verdict on three pleas challenging the government’s decision to set up a panel to probe allegations of lapses against five children’s homes.
The Delhi government’s Feb 25 notification was challenged by three NGOs running these institutions.
The notification called for a probe into the functioning of the Arya Orphanage, Arya Bal Grih, Arya Kanya Sadan, all in Daryaganj, Chhatrawas Chandra Arya Vidya Mandir and Chandra Arya Vidyalaya, both in East of Kailash in south Delhi.
There were allegations of sexual abuse of children in Arya Orphanage and death of an inmate at another private-run orphanage.
The division bench of Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justice Pratibha Rani reserved the judgement after conclusion of arguments.
The petition filed by the NGOs said that merely on the basis of media report or gossips, the government could order to constitute a commission to look into the allegations.
Apart from suggesting a roadmap to revamp the institutions and a mechanism to prevent any such cases in future, the commission was supposed to ensure compliance by all five institutions with all rules and regulations.
The Delhi government told the court that there was sufficient material available on record against the two out of the five institutions, to set up a probe committee.
The government’s decision to investigate all the five was on the basis that they were all “umbrella organisations”.
The court earlier asked the government to place before it material on the basis of which it appointed the inquiry commission.
The NGOs contended there were no incidents as alleged. “Only on the basis of the allegations or media reports and without any substance, the government was not right in holding the inquiry,” said the petitions.
Acting Chief Justice A.K. Sikri had earlier refused to grant any relief to V.P. Chaudhary, president of the Arya Orphanage, who sought directions to restrain the government from setting up any probe committee.