The division Bench of the SHRC passed an order on Thursday in this regard.

The Investigation Wing of the SHRC had revealed that 42 out of 216 children in the Boys Home and three out of 62 children in the Girls Home were released by the competent authority years back. Yet, they were not sent to their respective parents because the authorities concerned failed to make their escort arrangements.

Terming this “the worst kind of violation of human rights of children, the SHRC observed that the reason of lack of escort arrangments could never be a justifiable ground to deny liberty to the minors. “Therefore, all those who are responsible for this state of affairs are accountable and they are answerable to the Commission,” the SHRC order said.

The Commission directed the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Home Secretary to submit their responses to the “serious lapse” within a period of two weeks, from the date of receipt of the notice.

It also directed the State government to take immediate steps to send the 45 children to the custody of their respective parents, and submit its compliance report. “It is made clear that any continued detention of the children in Juvenile Homes would be viewed very seriously,” said the SHRC order.