‘Child is a child’: SC on alleged violence against minor in CJP case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of allegations that a 14-year-old girl associated with the CJP protests was intimidated and that stones were allegedly thrown at her residence, saying no one could be allowed to browbeat a minor or her family for pursuing criminal proceedings.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said allegations of threats against a minor could not be ignored and stressed that a victim and her family must not be intimidated for pursuing a criminal case.

The CJI said, "If there are anti-social elements who indulged in violence against a child, and they are roaming free, and are trying to browbeat the child, that may be a serious thing. Cause is justified. There can't be a second opinion."

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The matter came up during the hearing of a student protest case after counsel drew the bench's attention to a video in which a man allegedly claimed responsibility for assaulting the girl's father during the CJP protest.

The top court sought status reports from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi on the FIR, security arrangements for the girl and her family, and action taken against those accused of assault and intimidation.

The bench also asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to ensure that the FIR was acted upon expeditiously and that adequate protection was provided to the minor and her family.

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The court said protective measures could be put in place and the incident could be treated as a separate matter by the local police.

“Child is a child. Some measures to protect the child can be taken. This incident can be taken as a standalone (case) by local police,” CJI told the Solicitor General, who said he was aware of the matter through the child's social media posts.

Separately, Mehta informed the Supreme Court that the Greater Noida Executive Magistrate who had issued a show-cause notice to a student, directing him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh over his alleged campaign for a CJP protest, had been suspended.