Latest news with #WestBengalCommissionforProtectionofChildRights
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
WBCPCR awards cops, childcare units
Kolkata: The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights recognised six police officers and three child care facilities, for their outstanding work in child protection. The ceremony was held on the occasion of 'State Child Protection Day' on Monday. Women and child development minister Sashi Panja said, "We work to ensure that the state can protect children in every way." —Oishinee Majumdar
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Children should speak freely, we get to learn from them': West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja urges parents and teachers
Written by Debasmita Chowdhury 'Children should be able to speak freely. The more they speak, the more they will make mistakes and learn. We, as elders, also get to learn from them,' said Shashi Panja, West Bengal Minister of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare, on Monday. She was speaking at an event to held to celebrate Child Protection Day by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights at Kolkata's Rabindra Sadan. The Special Guest for the day was Sanghamitra Ghosh, Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development and Social Welfare. The event was attended by over 400 students, teachers and officials from schools and NGOs across Bengal. Child Protection Day is observed annually on June 1, highlighting UNICEF's mission of protecting vulnerable children from abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. An official emphasised this year's theme by stating that according to reports, children and elderly people both have been observed to spend more time on their electronic gadgets rather than talking about their feelings or issues. Only 'two percent' of children in Bengal tend to share their happy moments and problems with their parents. 'We have been working with different consultants about mental health throughout the year and we try to understand the emotional state of children,' said Tulika Das, Chairperson, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights. She requested all the parents, teachers and others present to give more importance to their child's mental health. 'We should create a safe space for (children) to share things with us. This led us to deciding this year's theme. Our Chief Minister has decided that June 9 will be celebrated as the Child Protection Day,' said Panja. She thanked UNICEF for their active involvement in working for the welfare of children. She also highlighted the importance of creativity. 'Creativity is one of the most important things – the ability to bring together your thoughts and channelize them through different media, be it theatre, art, journalism, or any other medium is very important,' Panja added. The event saw the felicitation of various policemen for their dedication and work towards the rights and safety of children. This was followed by a series of performances by the students. (Debasmita Chowdhury is an intern with The Indian Express)
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Time of India
Grandparents say yes, Tangra boy won't have to live in shelter
1 2 Kolkata: The 14-year-old boy from Tangra, whose uncle and father murdered their wives and the boy's cousin in Feb, will now live with his cousin's grandparents. Parents-in-law of Prasun Dey, the younger of the two brothers who confessed to killing the two women and the girl at their Tangra residence before attempting to die by suicide by ramming their car against a metro pillar, have agreed to provide foster care for Prasun's nephew. The boy was also in the car but survived the crash. The decision ends three months of uncertainty over the fate of the teenager, who has been traumatised by the tragedy that unfolded in his home. While his mother, aunt, and cousin died, he survived multiple attempts on his life. Until the septuagenarian couple stepped forward, no member of the extended family was willing to take care of the child, and he was living in a state-run home. The boy's maternal grandparents are dead. Though his maternal uncle and aunt are well-off and live in Mumbai, West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) functionaries, who were trying to find foster care for the boy, were unable to contact them. On Saturday, the father of the boy's aunt, whom the teen called 'Dadu' or grandpa, called WBCPCR advisor Ananya Chatterjee, saying he wanted to take the child in. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The last time Chatterjee had approached the couple — shortly after the incident — they expressed their inability to look after the teenager, citing their age, ill health, and mental state after losing their daughter and granddaughter. "When I spoke to them three months ago, they were devastated and struggling to cope with the tragedy that befell them. They were so distraught that they said that despite feeling for the boy, they were not in a position to take his responsibility. They were unsure how long they would live. Both their fondness for the child and their helplessness in the face of the tragedy were apparent, and I did not pursue it further. It was they who got in touch with me on Saturday and requested to care for the boy," Chatterjee said. After he was discharged from hospital, the boy had expressed his desire to live with the grandparents. "This is the best thing that could have happened to him. At least, he will not feel he is unwanted," said Chatterjee. Child psychologists agreed that this will be the best thing that could happen to the teenager. "He needs a stable, supportive, and loving family, and those who are sensitive to his situation. Getting an opportunity to live with grandparents whom he loves and can trust will put him at ease. Also, it will go a long way to dispel the feeling of being abandoned. It will certainly be better than an institutional home," said senior child and adolescent psychiatrist Rima Mukherjee. Chatterjee said WBCPCR will try to get the teenager admitted to a school with a hostel so he can return to the grandparents' house on the weekends.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
HC turns down principal's bail plea
1 2 3 Kolkata: The bail plea of a blind school principal accused of raping a minor was turned down by the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, considering the "gravity" of the offence while stating that the survivor has "clearly implicated" him. The bail plea of the principal of a blind school at Behala Chowrasta, accused of raping a child in 2010, was turned down by the Calcutta High Court on May 14. This decision acknowledged the statements filed by the survivor as well as other girls alleging sexual abuse against him. The principal, who is 100% visually impaired according to his lawyer, has been asked to make his arguments at a lower court where the trial is presently ongoing. His counsel, Milan Mukherjee, approached the court stating that he was in custody for one year and 15 days. Mukherjee pointed out to the court that the complaint against his client was lodged 14 years after the incident by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) in 2024 at Ultadanga PS, which was later transferred to Haridevpur PS. The brief facts of the case are that the blind school principal was accused of sexually abusing the girl and committing penetrative sexual assault within the premises. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Complete protection with iPru All-in-one Term Plan ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo It was alleged that he took advantage of vulnerable conditions multiple times and misused his position. He was arrested on April 3, 2024. The medical examination of the victim was conducted on May 3, 2024. The FIR was registered on March 8, 2024, and the charge sheet was submitted on June 5, 2024. While questioning the long gap in the filing of the complaint, his counsel also pointed out that the accused cannot be charged under the POCSO Act, considering the incident was claimed to have taken place in 2010, which was two years before the POCSO Act was implemented. "The Act does not have a retrospective effect to take into its fold any offence of such nature committed prior to the coming into force of the said Act. Therefore, the petitioner cannot be held liable for the commission of an offence under the POCSO Act," Mukherjee argued. However, Justice Bivas Pattanayak remained firm on the point that these arguments—the POCSO Act section and the delay in filing of the case—can be made before the trial court by his lawyer. Even the argument on the age of the survivor mentioned on her Madhyamik admit card, which indicated that she was 18 years and 6 months old, was observed to be decided in trial."Upon going through the statement of the victim girl recorded before the Magistrate, it is found that she has clearly implicated the petitioner… On the basis of the materials on record and bearing in mind the nature and gravity of the offence, I am not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner," the judge held. Kolkata: The bail plea of a blind school principal accused of raping a minor was turned down by the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, considering the "gravity" of the offence while stating that the survivor has "clearly implicated" him. The bail plea of the principal of a blind school at Behala Chowrasta, accused of raping a child in 2010, was turned down by the Calcutta High Court on May 14. This decision acknowledged the statements filed by the survivor as well as other girls alleging sexual abuse against him. The principal, who is 100% visually impaired according to his lawyer, has been asked to make his arguments at a lower court where the trial is presently ongoing. His counsel, Milan Mukherjee, approached the court stating that he was in custody for one year and 15 days. Mukherjee pointed out to the court that the complaint against his client was lodged 14 years after the incident by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) in 2024 at Ultadanga PS, which was later transferred to Haridevpur PS. The brief facts of the case are that the blind school principal was accused of sexually abusing the girl and committing penetrative sexual assault within the premises. It was alleged that he took advantage of vulnerable conditions multiple times and misused his position. He was arrested on April 3, 2024. The medical examination of the victim was conducted on May 3, 2024. The FIR was registered on March 8, 2024, and the charge sheet was submitted on June 5, 2024. While questioning the long gap in the filing of the complaint, his counsel also pointed out that the accused cannot be charged under the POCSO Act, considering the incident was claimed to have taken place in 2010, which was two years before the POCSO Act was implemented. "The Act does not have a retrospective effect to take into its fold any offence of such nature committed prior to the coming into force of the said Act. Therefore, the petitioner cannot be held liable for the commission of an offence under the POCSO Act," Mukherjee argued. However, Justice Bivas Pattanayak remained firm on the point that these arguments—the POCSO Act section and the delay in filing of the case—can be made before the trial court by his lawyer. Even the argument on the age of the survivor mentioned on her Madhyamik admit card, which indicated that she was 18 years and 6 months old, was observed to be decided in trial."Upon going through the statement of the victim girl recorded before the Magistrate, it is found that she has clearly implicated the petitioner… On the basis of the materials on record and bearing in mind the nature and gravity of the offence, I am not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner," the judge held.
