Delhi High Court Criticizes Government Over Prolonged Vacancies in Child Rights Body
The Delhi High Court issued a stern rebuke to the Delhi government on Friday for its persistent failure to appoint a chairperson and members to the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). The positions have remained vacant since July 2023, with the court explicitly stating that the delay reflects a "lack of will" rather than any legitimate administrative hurdles.
Court Questions Government's Commitment and Delays
A bench comprising Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia expressed deep frustration during the hearing. "Can a single officer in your government justify this much delay?" the bench questioned the government counsel. The court emphasized that this situation highlights areas where governmental attention is severely lacking, bluntly remarking, "There is no difficulty. There is a difficulty of lack of will."
The government's legal representative cited "bona fide difficulty" and requested additional time to outline a timeline for completing the appointments. In response, the court directed the counsel to seek clear instructions on the "minimum time" required and scheduled the next hearing for February 16.
Government's Defense and Court's Skepticism
While acknowledging the delay, the government counsel argued that progress had been made, stating it was not a case of "no progress." According to the lawyer, in compliance with previous court orders, the selection committee convened twice, and its recommendations were forwarded to the competent authority for approval, which is still pending.
However, the court remained unconvinced, noting that authorities had repeatedly failed to meet deadlines despite multiple assurances. It referenced a submission from November 11, 2025, where the government indicated that a committee had scrutinized applications and that a selection committee chaired by the chief minister was scheduled to meet on November 18. "How long will you take to approve the recommendations? We cannot understand," the bench remarked, highlighting that the commission has been non-functional since July 2023 despite court interventions on four occasions.
Broader Implications and Historical Context
The court's frustration was palpable as it questioned the government's inaction: "Since July 2023, the commission is non-functional and despite the court's intervention, not once but four times.... despite your assurances given twice, thrice, you were not able to do the needful. What do you expect from us?"
This issue gained further attention in 2024 when the National Child Development Council pointed out that the DCPCR had been without a chairperson since July 2, 2023. The prolonged vacancies violate the DCPCR rules, undermining the commission's mandate to protect child rights effectively. The absence of leadership in such a critical body raises serious concerns about the government's commitment to safeguarding children's welfare in Delhi.
The ongoing legal battle underscores systemic delays in governmental appointments and the judiciary's role in holding authorities accountable. As the matter progresses, all eyes will be on the Delhi government's next steps to rectify this situation and ensure the DCPCR can resume its vital functions without further delay.
