The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to frame clear guidelines for officials who handle child-related complaints, including calls received through the child helpline 1098. The order came while hearing a bail petition filed by a man accused under the POCSO Act in a case from Virudhunagar district.
Justice K.K. Ramakrishnan noted that the victim girl, in her statement, said she had contacted 1098 to ease frequent quarrels between her parents after her father scolded her for excessive mobile phone use. She alleged that the official who took the call pressured her to complain as if her father had touched her inappropriately, leading to the case.
The girl further stated that she was kept in a shelter for five days and that officials of the Child Welfare Committee threatened her with action if she did not lodge a complaint against her father. The court observed that the statement indicated pressure and coercion being used to make the child level sexual allegations.
Calling such conduct, if true, an abuse of authority that harms children psychologically and undermines the sanctity of child protection procedures, the court ordered the Chief Secretary to create suitable guidelines for all officials dealing with such matters. The Southern Range IG was directed to inquire into the on-duty 1098 official and submit a report to the court on July 2.
The court also ordered the district collector to pay Rs 1 lakh as compensation for the girl’s psychological impact and granted bail to the petitioner.
