Panel to probe Delhi sex study

Delhi govt will also submit report on the controversial survey

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Delhi government have ordered inquiries into the stripping of students from Delhi’s Sardar Patel Vidyalaya (SPV) for a ‘sexual growth’ study. The action came after DNA carried a report, Kids Stripped in School Sex Study, in its July 19 edition.

“We have set up a two-member committee comprising advocate and social jurist Ashok Aggarwal and commission  member Sandhya Bajaj. They will submit a report and their recommendations for action within a week,” said Shanta Sinha, chairperson of the Child Rights Commission. The commission was faxed a copy of the DNA report by the Women and Child Development Ministry. Sinha enclosed the same report with her letter to the investigating committee.

The commission has the statutory power to examine complaints of child rights violations. It can take suo motu notice of such matters.

Sources said the incident may prompt the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) to set guidelines for researches and studies conducted on or involving children.

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has asked the director of education to submit a report on the incident in a week. 

A total of 400 students were asked to take off their clothes during a ‘sexual growth’ study by a private research group.