A Child Welfare Committee (CWC) cannot impose payment of compensation or arrears to rescued minor domestic helps without hearing the accused employer, a sessions court has said, adding that such a thing violates the principle of “natural justice”. The special court rebuked the CWC, which had ordered the accused employer to pay Rs 2.69 lakh to his domestic help without issuing him a showcause notice. A child rescued by an NGO or police is presented before the CWC, which decides on their immediate future like foster homes, compensation, reunion, etc. The sessions court, however, said the CWC is at liberty to re-decide the issue of payment of compensation to the rescued girl. “But only after issuing showcause notice to the accused after giving him an opportunity for filing reply and after giving him at least one opportunity of personal hearing,” the court said.

Source: Indian Express September 24, 2017 00:15 UTC