Retired IAS officer Geeta Sagar has been appointed by the Delhi Government to head a Commission of Enquiry instituted to look into the issues and circumstances related to abuse of children and a death under mysterious circumstances at the Arya Anathalaya in Darya Ganj here. The other member of the CoE would be another retired IAS officer Janak Juneja.
Both these retired officers have for long served in various administrative positions and have a wide understanding of the issue at hand, the Delhi Government said.
The CoE, set up after a preliminary enquiry conducted by the Delhi Government, had unravelled some disturbing facts. It has been asked to submit its report along with suggestions and corrective measures to the government within a month's time.
The CoE has been told to look into the state of affairs of five children homes -- Arya Bal Grih, Darya Ganj; Arya Kanya Sadan, Darya Ganj; Chhatrawas Chnadra Arya Vidya Mandir, East Of Kailash; Chandra Arya Vidyalaya, East Of Kailash and Arya Anathalaya , Darya Ganj.
Oversee
The terms of reference of the CoE are to look into the recent incidents of child abuse and related incidents, to study the management structure of these five homes and supervisory mechanism in existence, and to find out lapses in the day-to-day functioning and overall management superintendence.
The panel has also been directed to look into the issues of direction and control, including persons responsible for such lapses, to examine adherence to various rules and regulations regarding care and protection of children and to make recommendations and suggestions to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has also asked the CoE to go deep into the issues and submit a detailed report with all feasible suggestions to enable the Delhi Government to fully curb such incidents of abuse in orphanages and other welfare homes in future.
The Chief Minister had earlier assured that an enquiry under the relevant act would be conducted.
The CoE has been set up after a preliminary enquiry, conducted as per instructions of the Delhi Government, reported certain points. The COE has been set up by the Delhi Government under Section 3 of the Commission of Enquiry Act, 1954, read with a communication dated August 20, 1966, of the Union Home Ministry.
