THREE CWC OFFICIALS DISMISSED

THREE CWC OFFICIALS DISMISSED

7-NOV-ENG 5

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

PATNA---------------------------In a major crackdown aimed at enforcing child rights protection and upholding juvenile justice regulations, the Bihar Social Welfare Department has dismissed three officials of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and a member of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) across various districts. The administrative action comes on the heels of proven rule violations, arbitrary selection procedures, disregard for local criteria, and severe conflicts of interest.

Kishanganj Child Welfare Committee: Chairperson Usha Kumari and member Deepak Kumar Fani were removed following an extensive review of an investigation report submitted by the Kishanganj District Magistrate on February 5, 2026.

Madhubani Child Protection Committee: Member Meena Kumari was dismissed after a three-member inquiry committee ordered by the Madhubani DM revealed long-standing conflicts of interest dating back to her tenure as a member of the Darbhanga Child Welfare Committee between 2010 and 2018..

West Champaran (Bettiah) Juvenile Justice Board: Member Rajesh Ranjan was stripped of his position due to severe administrative irregularities. Reports from the Patna High Court’s Juvenile Justice Secretariat and the West Champaran DM exposed that Ranjan was actively practicing as a defense advocate before the very same board where he sat as a member.

The administrative action has also brought renewed scrutiny to the 2023 selection and appointment process for JJB and CWC members across the state. Investigations revealed glaring oversights in the selection framework, including instances where appointment notifications were issued in the names of deceased individuals.

While multiple writ petitions were subsequently filed in the Patna High Court and formal inquiries were initiated by the Social Welfare Department, authorities chose to execute immediate dismissals as the tenures of the defaulting members were nearing completion. State officials reaffirmed that zero tolerance will be maintained regarding conflicts of interest and negligence in bodies tasked with safeguarding juvenile rights.