India
NHRC probes alleged use of minors in CJP’s Mumbai protest
NHRC investigates claims minors were used in CJP protest to deter police action. Commission seeks report and digital evidence from X Corp.
At a glance
Why it matters
The NHRC’s probe into the alleged use of minors in a protest highlights concerns over child safety and the potential exploitation of minors in public demonstrations, raising broader questions about the legal and ethical responsibilities of organizers and platforms like X.
Key facts
- NHRC has taken cognisance of allegations that minors were used in a CJP-led protest in Mumbai.
- Complaints allege minors were strategically placed to deter police action and that their participation was planned in group chats.
- The NHRC has directed the Mumbai Police to investigate the involvement of children and the roles of organizers.
- X Corp. has been ordered to preserve digital evidence related to the alleged posts.
- The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has been asked to examine X Corp.’s compliance with child safety regulations.
What happens next
The Mumbai Police are to submit their findings on the involvement of minors and the roles of organizers by the end of October 2026.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated an inquiry into allegations that minors were used in a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai on October 2, 2026. The commission issued a notice seeking an Action Taken Report from authorities, citing concerns over the involvement of children in the demonstration. The protest, held on the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, was organized by the CJP to demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The event took place at Shivaji Park, despite the Mumbai Police having denied permission for the gathering.
The NHRC received complaints from the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation and another organization, alleging that minors were strategically placed at the protest site to deter police action. The complainants cited posts on X showing a young child being held above a crowd carrying the National Flag and a placard, with slogans raised and people recording the child. The complaints also referenced purported group chats where the participation of minors was allegedly planned, with some participants suggesting that their status as minors could prevent police detention. The commission emphasized that the allegations raised concerns over the dignity, safety, privacy, and possible exploitation of children.
A bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo directed the Mumbai Police to investigate how children came to be involved in the October 2 gathering and to examine the roles of organizers, coordinators, accompanying adults, and others who may have facilitated their participation. The police have also been asked to review the other allegations made in the complaints. The NHRC order names Ajinkya Shinde, Abhijit Dipke, and Saurav Das among those whose roles and communications are to be examined, while making clear that responsibility must be determined on the basis of evidence.
The commission has also directed X Corp. to preserve the digital trail linked to the content, including account details, URLs, post IDs, timestamps, and metadata, and to provide information on any moderation or enforcement action taken. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been asked to examine X Corp.’s compliance with legal and regulatory obligations relating to child safety, preservation of information, and assistance to law enforcement agencies.
The CJP had previously led youth protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi in June and July, seeking the resignation or removal of then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak issue. Pradhan resigned on July 25, bringing the agitation to an end. The CJP also announced plans to hold a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on October 10 if Kumar does not resign or is not removed by then.