Activist Harsh Mander Faces Raids, Legal Woes Over Disputed Report
The Child Rights Report Contradicted by Other Statutory Bodies
Newsreel Asia Insight #217
May 10, 2024
Peace worker Harsh Mander, a former civil servant, finds himself embroiled in legal conflicts after the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) levelled accusations against him in a report, which were subsequently refuted by other statutory bodies and the Delhi government's Department of Women and Child Development, according to Article 14.
The allegations – including unreported sexual abuse, exploitation of children for political purposes, subpar shelter conditions and financial irregularities – led to raids, interrogations and four criminal cases over a span of nearly four years, with charges ranging from mismanagement in homeless shelters to financial crimes, the news outlet says.
Mander’s NGO, the Centre for Equity Studies (CES), manages shelters like Umeed Aman Ghar and Rainbow Khushi Home in southeast Delhi. After leaving his government job in 2002, Mander devoted his life to these shelters, forming a bond with the children who affectionately called him “papa,” as noted by Article 14.
The apparent targeting began with a surprise inspection by the NCPCR on Oct. 1, 2020, despite Mander’s assertion that it violated the Juvenile Justice Act’s inspection protocols. The NCPCR report was then disseminated by the right-wing website Op India on Jan. 4, 2021.
The accusations were also echoed on national television by Priyank Kanoongo, chairperson of the NCPCR, further intensifying scrutiny on Mander and his NGO. However, these claims were soon challenged and debunked by multiple government bodies. By Oct. 16, 2020, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the District Inspection Committee (DICO) of Delhi refuted the allegations, supported later by an extensive review from the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).
The DCPCR and other agencies confirmed that the shelters were in good condition, with proper measures taken to prevent COVID-19 and no evidence of unreported sexual abuses or illegal activities at protests, says the news outlet, adding that the Delhi government’s Department of Women and Child Development also attested to the children’s wellbeing, advocating for the continuation of the shelters under CES management.
Despite these findings, the initial NCPCR report had already set in motion a series of legal challenges for Mander. By early 2021, multiple federal agencies had raided Mander’s properties, and a series of cases were initiated based on the disputed claims. These included charges of violating juvenile justice laws, money laundering, and misappropriation of funds, severely hampering CES’s operational capabilities.
Mander has been vocal against policies and actions of the current government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He has critiqued the government’s approach to secular values, anti-Muslim sentiments and the handling of various civil rights issues.
Mander and his legal team have been actively challenging the validity of the FIRs and seeking to expose the flaws in the NCPCR’s report and subsequent actions by law enforcement.
It’s not just about Mander. The shelters and programs his NGO operates provide essential services to homeless and vulnerable children. Legal challenges could disrupt these services through financial strains that reduce operational capacity, or key personnel being diverted to handle legal matters instead of focusing on service delivery.
Children who have developed bonds with the NGO’s staff might experience anxiety, stress and a sense of instability due to the ongoing legal issues. For many of these children, the shelter staff and the environment they provide may represent a significant source of emotional support and stability.
Prolonged legal battles can create an atmosphere of uncertainty for both the NGO and the children it serves. This uncertainty can hinder long-term planning and the implementation of programs designed to improve children’s welfare.
