The Delhi High Court today sought the Centre's response to National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson Kushal Singh's plea that the government be restrained from forcing her to resign.
A bench of Justice Deepa Sharma issued notice to the Ministry of Women and Child Development seeking its reply by the next date of hearing, July 28.
Kushal Singh has in her plea sought directions to the ministry not to remove her without following the procedure laid down in the Commission for Protection of Child Right Act 2005. Her tenure ends on October 10 this year.
Standing Counsel for central government Jatan Singh said that at the moment no orders for her removal from the Commission have been passed, so there is no cause of action.
The court also asked "where is the cause of action? They have not done anything to remove you."
In response to the court's query, the NCPCR chief's counsel contended she had allegedly received calls from the ministry on May 30 and June 2 this year, pressurising her to resign.
In her plea, Kushal Singh also contended since various welfare projects undertaken by the Commission are underway, her removal at this stage could harm the same.
NCPCR was set up in 2007 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005 to ensure that all laws, policies, programmes, and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective as enshrined in the Constitution and also the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
