Commission orders a detailed status report on alleged abuse of hearing- and speech-impaired children at a Gulbarga school
New Delhi, October 22: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) cannot simply forward complaints and wait for replies. It must actively monitor what action is taken, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has said.
Information Commissioner PR Ramesh made the observation while hearing an RTI appeal seeking an updated status report and inspection report on a complaint about a school for children with disabilities in Gulbarga, Karnataka. The complaint alleged that teachers and staff physically abused students with hearing and speech impairments and treated them cruelly. It also said the children were not being taught properly in sign language, denying them a meaningful and inclusive education.
When the applicant filed the RTI request in July 2025, the NCPCR said it was awaiting an action report from the district magistrate. It later said it had sent reminders and written to Karnataka’s school education department in September 2026. The CIC, however, found that communication vague and noted that the NCPCR had not shown any specific inquiry, inspection or concrete action.
As a statutory body, the commission said, the NCPCR must pursue such complaints with due diligence. Although the case concerned disclosure under the RTI Act, it added, the seriousness of the underlying grievance could not be ignored.
The CIC directed the NCPCR to provide a point-by-point reply with records of action taken, including any inspection, inquiry or action-taken reports. If none exist, the applicant must be told so clearly.
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