IT News
Imphal, Oct 10,
Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights (YFPHR) today alleged that Chairperson of CWC Thoubal, Charged Rs. 1000/- to a complaint of child custody.
In a press statement the Forum stated that, on the 3rd of October, 2018, a complaint was submitted to the Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal District by a separated woman for child custody of her 5 years old son who is now in the custody of her husband located at Khongjom. The complaint was not entertained as the Chairperson was not available on the same day.
On the 4th of October, 2018, the complainant visited the office of the CWC, Thoubal District to inquire about the same complaint which was submitted just a day before. We were informed that the Chairperson had warmly welcomed the complainant along with one other and shared a briefed about the matter. After the brief was taken, a letter was written to the Childline Thoubal District and Officer-in-Charge, Khongjom PS seeking for cooperation with regard to the matter.
While the letter was being printed by a man at the office of the CWC, the Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal District asked the complainant “to provide some amount for the Vehicle Fuel, Printing, Delivery charges and others in order to process the complaint”. Having less knowledge of the same, the complainant asked the chairperson about the charges. As a reply the Chairperson said Rs. 1000/-. The said printed letter was delivery by the complainant to the Childline and the Khongjom P.S.
On the 5th of October, 2018, as the amount was not available on the earlier day, the sum of Rs. 1000/- was given to the Chairperson for the Fuel, Delivery Charges and others”.
“In regard to the matter of charging Rs. 1000/- we would like to ask your department to kindly provide us a documents with regard to the specific amount which is chargeable by the Child Welfare Committee operating in the state as provided by the law” the statement by Youth’s Forum for Protection of Human Rights said.
The forum also urged to initiate an inquiry for charging Rs.1000/- as a fee to initiate a case by the Child Welfare Committee, Thoubal District at the earliest and review the functioning of the Committee as a matter of Urgency and in the best interest of children.
