GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Priyank Kanoongo NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR PROTECTION OF CHILD RIGHTS

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Chairperson NEW DELHI-110 001 3HUJd I6ld NCPCR
T No. 260y/ 25/ NCPCR/Ps0-CM/BD2 Date: 03-04-2023

To

Director Generalof Police, West Bengal

West BengalPolice Directorate - Bhabani Bhawan
31/1A, Belvedere Rd, Alipore Police Line,
Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027
Phone No: 033-2479.-4035, 033-2479-4036,
Email: policewb@gmail.com
Notice u/s 13 of CPCR Act, 2005
Sub: Action Taken Report in Child marriage cases reported during April 2021 to March
2022 and April 2022to September 2022 -regarding
Sir,
National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (hereinafter referred to as the
Commission) is a statutory body constituted under Section 3 of the Commission for
Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005 to protect the child rights and other related
matters in the country. The Commission is further mandated to monitor the proper and
effective implementation of Protection of Children from SexualOffences (POCSO) Act, 2012;
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 and Right to Free and
Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. In one of the functions laid down under Section 13
of the CPCR Act, 2005, the Commission has been assigned with the function to examine and
review the safeguards provided by or under any law for the time being in force for the
protection of child rights and recommend measures for their effective implementation. The
Commission also has the powers of Civil Court trying a suit under Section 14 of CPCR
Act, 2005 and Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

2. The Commission has taken cognizance on the matter of child marriage cases
happening across the country u/s 13 1 () of the CPCR Act 2005. As a part of this exercise,
the Commission has collected district wise information from Women and Child
Development Department, State/UTs on intervention taken in Child Marriage cases. The
data received from Women and Child Development and Social Welfare Department, West
Bengal indicates that atotal number of 4001l child marriage cases were noticed in 23 districts
of West Bengal during April 2021 to march 2022. Out of these 4001 cases, a total number of
2939 child marriages were stopped, however, information on FIRs registered and Injunction
orders issued in cases was not available. Data of April 2022 to September 2022 shows that
total2732 cases were noticed and 2154 child marriages were stopped whereas status of rest
578 cases isnot given. (copy of data is enclosed for reference)
Further, it is also pertinent to mention here that Principal Secretary, WCD and SW
Department, West Bengal has been called on Summons to NCPCRs office, New Delhi to

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5" Floor, Chanderlok Building, 36, Janpath, New Delhi-110 001
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provide an updated status report on data and activities conducted in various districts.
During the Summon hearing Principal Secretary, WCDand SW Department,West Bengal
elaborated on stepstaken in Child marriage cases/data and it has been brought to the
notice of the Commission that district WCD officials take concerted efforts with the help of
police on any noticed child marriage cases. In this process, the information of a child
marriage case is also shared with police but the department has not collected the data on
FIRs registered in child marriage cases.
3. The Commission has examined the data in light of the information shared by Principal
Secretary, WCD and SW Department, West Bengal. It is discovered that, out of the 4001
cases, a total number of 2939 child marriages were stopped during April 2021 to March 2022,
whereas status of action taken in rest of 1062 cases is missing. Similarly, during April 2022 to
September 2022, out of the 2732 noticed cases, a total number of 2154 child marriages were
stopped and action taken in rest of 578 cases is not indicated.

4. You are requested to take lawful action in all 1630 child marriage cases in accordance
with Prohibition of Child Marriage Act(PCMA) 2006 andPOCSO Act 2012 and submit the
detailed factual report covering the following, along with authenticated copies of the
relevant documents to theCommission within 10 daysof issue of this letter:

:i Copy ofFIRs in rest of 1630 child marriage cases noticed during April 2021 to March
2022 and April 2022 to September 2022.
Status and progress of investigation of the police in the matter.
iii. Whether, CWCs were informed in all the abovecases, copy of CWCorders.
Yours sincerely,

(Priyank Kanoongo )
Chairperson, NCPCR

Copy To: For information

1. Chief Secretary, West Bengal

Nabanna (13th Floor) 325, Sarat Chatterjee Road, Shibpur, Howralh-711102
Email:cs-westbengal@nic.in
2. Principal Secretary, Department of WCD & SW, Govt. of West
Bengal,
Bikash Bhaban,10thFloor, Vikas Bhawan, Salt Lake,
Kolkata 700091, VWest Bengal
Email:secy.wcdsw@gmail.com
Yours sincerely,

(Priyank Kanoongo)
Chairperson,NCPCR