NHRC seeks reports over alleged use of minors at CJP’s Mumbai protest

NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission has sought reports from Mumbai Police and other authorities over allegations that minors were mobilised for a protest in Mumbai. The complaint concerns the Cockroach Janta Party’s demonstration at Shivaji Park on October 2.

The Commission’s notice records allegations made in complaints and does not establish that the children were deliberately used by the organisers. It directed the authorities to investigate the claims, preserve digital evidence and protect the children’s identities and welfare.

Notice to four authorities

The NHRC issued notices to the Mumbai Police Commissioner, MeitY, X Corp’s grievance officer and Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Department. It sought action taken reports within one week.

The matter was considered by a Bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The complaint was submitted by Satish Vaid, head of intervention at the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation.

According to the notice, the complaint cited social media posts that allegedly showed a child being held above a crowd carrying the national flag. It also referred to images of children sitting on the road during the demonstration.

The complaint alleged that the participation of minors had been discussed in group chats before the protest. It further claimed that their presence may have been intended to discourage police action against the gathering.

The Commission asked Mumbai Police to examine videos, photographs, social media posts and electronic communications linked to the protest. Police were told to register an FIR if the inquiry disclosed a cognisable offence.

Investigators were also directed to examine the roles of organisers, coordinators, accompanying adults and the children’s parents or guardians. The notice named Ajinkya Shinde, Abhijit Dipke and Saurav Das among those whose roles and communications should be examined.

The NHRC asked police to consider whether Sections 75 and 83(2) of the Juvenile Justice Act or other laws apply. It also directed them to determine whether the children were members of the groups where the protest was planned and who added them.

Digital evidence and child protection

X was asked to preserve account details, URLs, timestamps, registration and login data, and other records related to the disputed content. The platform was also directed to explain how content involving children was allowed to be uploaded and shared.

MeitY was asked to examine X’s compliance with the Information Technology Act and the 2021 IT Rules. Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Department was told to identify the children and place them before a Child Welfare Committee where required.

The NHRC said any child found to be involved should receive counselling, care, protection and rehabilitation. It also ordered authorities to safeguard the children’s identities, privacy and dignity during the inquiry.

Protest over Election Commission

The October 2 demonstration was organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The CJP has also sought an end to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the restoration of names removed after the revision began.

Mumbai Police had denied permission for the Shivaji Park gathering, citing restrictions on use of the ground and concerns over traffic and access to nearby hospitals. The organisers proceeded with what they called a peaceful “Jail Bharo Andolan”.

Thousands attended the protest, according to reports from the venue. Actors Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj and musician Vishal Dadlani were among those present.

The gathering passed without reported violence, but Shivaji Park police later registered an FIR over the unauthorised assembly. Police said 400 to 500 unidentified people and several named CJP members gathered near Gate Number 6, obstructed traffic and used loudspeakers without permission.

The FIR followed an earlier dispute over the protest venue. CJP founder Dipke had said the campaign would continue in other cities and reach Delhi’s Jantar Mantar if Kumar did not resign.

No public response from the CJP to the NHRC notice was found by the time of writing. The allegations concerning the involvement of minors remain subject to investigation.