Taking cognisance of serious allegations of physical assault, corporal punishment and verbal abuse of two minor children living at the Place of Safety (Bal Sudhar Kendra), Madhuban, in the district, the Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) has ordered a comprehensive inquiry.Considering the gravity of the allegations, the commission has directed the Police Department, Women and Child Development Department and the Superintendent of the Place of Safety, Madhuban, to submit separate detailed reports.As per the complaint, two minor boys — whose identities have been withheld — were residing at the Place of Safety, in compliance with the orders of the Juvenile Justice Board. The complainants have alleged that two staff members of the institution brutally assaulted the children with pipes and belts, causing multiple injuries to their bodies.The complaint further states that after the incident, both children were taken to hospital, where multiple injuries were recorded in their Medico-Legal Reports (MLRs).It has also been alleged that despite the matter having been reported to Police Station Madhuban, no effective action has been taken so far, and the complainants have not been informed whether any FIR has been registered or, if so, about its present status.Justice Lalit Batra, Chairperson, HHRC, observed that the allegations made in the complaint were of an extremely serious nature.If found to be true, the matter would not merely concern violence against two children but would also raise serious concerns regarding the safety and protection mechanisms in a state-run Child Care Institution. The Chairperson also observed that children placed in a Place of Safety remained under the protective custody of the state. State and its officials stood in loco parentis, assuming the role of guardians, he said. Consequently, it was the constitutional and statutory responsibility of the state to ensure that every child was protected against violence, abuse, neglect and degrading treatment.Justice Batra further observed that the objective of such institutions was to ensure the care, protection, rehabilitation, dignified living and the promotion of the best interests of children. Therefore, any act of physical assault or cruelty against children residing in such institutions was contrary to the very spirit and objectives of the juvenile justice system.Referring to Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India, the Commission reiterated that every individual is entitled to equality before the law and the right to live with dignity. The right to life under Article 21 necessarily includes the right to live free from torture, cruelty and inhuman or degrading treatment.The Commission has asked the Women and Child Development Department to submit a report, containing the names and designations of the officials posted at the Place of Safety, Madhuban, at the relevant time, alongwith the duty roster, and details of any departmental or disciplinary proceedings, if initiated against the concerned delinquent officials.The Superintendent, Place of Safety, has also been directed to submit a detailed account of the alleged incident and to preserve the CCTV footage relating to the relevant period and to produce the same before the Commission through a special messenger in the form of a pen drive or hard disk well before the next date of hearing.Dr Puneet Arora, Assistant Registrar, HHRC, said that the Commission had directed all departments concerned to submit their detailed reports at least one week before the next date of hearing, which would be taken up by the Full Commission on September 3.