Kozhikode: The state government has ordered a high-level inquiry into the lapses on the part of Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Wayanad in the rape of a minor by Fr Robin Vadakkumchery, the sacked vicar in Kottiyoor. The decision follows a report of the district child protection officer (DCPO).
The CWC being a quasi-judicial body, the government has to abide by legal procedures before action. According to sources, this is the first time an entire CWC of a district becoming accused in a case.
As per the report submitted by DCPO on Saturday, the CWC and government-recognised adoption agency Holy Infant Foundling home, Vythiri, had violated rules of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJ), 2015.
Though the Act permits a woman CWC member alone accepting the child of an unwed mother, it should be ratified by the next CWC sitting, which was ignored.
Not verifying the claim of the minor girl in her surrender deed that she was 18 is another violation.
The charge against Foundling home was that though the infant was brought there on February 8, they presented it before the CWC on February 20 only, not within 24 hours as mandated.
Social justice department officials said they were awaiting the government order and the members of the high-level committee are yet to be known.
