2 weeks ago
Delhi Police orders zero tolerance for custodial violence against minors
The police in Delhi got a new set of rules about how to treat children who are arrested.
The rules say that hurting a child's body or feelings is not allowed, ever.
Children also cannot be questioned in places where there are no cameras to watch what happens.
These rules came because people worried that some children were being treated badly.
Some children were reportedly taken away from police stations to places where cameras could not see them.
Sometimes, the police officer who was accused of hurting a child was allowed to check whether it was true, which is not fair.
Now, a different senior police officer must look into such complaints.
Police officers will also learn how to talk to children in a kind and careful way.
The goal is to make sure children who get in trouble with the law are safe and treated fairly.
Delhi Police's Special Police Unit for Women and Children issued a city-wide directive on August 10 mandating zero tolerance for physical or psychological ill-treatment of juveniles.
The order followed Juvenile Justice Board-VII concerns that juveniles were allegedly taken outside police stations to avoid CCTV coverage during questioning.
The directive calls self-investigation of custodial violence complaints by the accused officer 'unacceptable' and requires a senior independent officer to handle inquiries.
The order follows past cases including a May video of a teenager allegedly manhandled at Sarai Rohilla police station and the June 2025 death of a 17-year-old in a Majnu ka Tila juvenile home.
Police personnel dealing with juveniles will undergo regular orientation and sensitisation programmes on child-friendly policing and juvenile rights.
- Who
- Delhi Police's Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC), headed by Joint Commissioner Nabam Gungte
- What
- Issued a directive mandating zero tolerance for custodial violence against juveniles and impartial investigation of ill-treatment complaints
- Where
- Delhi/New Delhi
- When
- August 10 (order issued recently)
- Why
- In response to concerns raised by the Juvenile Justice Board-VII over alleged custodial violence and ill-treatment of juveniles
Allegations of mistreatment
Delhi Police account
Sarai Rohilla police station video
Allegations of mistreatment
A video showing a teenager allegedly being taken to Sarai Rohilla police station and manhandled prompted Delhi Police to initiate an inquiry in May.
Delhi Police account
Police said the teenager was involved in an accident case and was apprehended after his parents allegedly failed to comply with repeated notices, and that it was being ascertained whether a juvenile welfare officer was present as required.
Key facts
- Issuing body
- Special Police Unit for Women and Children (SPUWAC), Delhi Police
- Order date
- August 10
- Core requirement
- Zero tolerance for torture or physical/psychological ill-treatment of juveniles
- Trigger
- Concerns raised by Juvenile Justice Board-VII in proceedings
- Prohibited practice
- Questioning juveniles at unauthorized locations outside CCTV surveillance
- Investigation rule
- Complaints handled by senior officer independent of allegations
- Legal provision
- Delhi Juvenile Justice Rules; guilty officers face removal from service and prosecution
Sources
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