Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Nov 27: High Court ordered that the ongoing selection process for the Chairperson and Members of the Jammu & Kashmir Commission for Protection of Child Rights (JKSPCR) will remain subject to the outcome of a writ petition challenging the exercise.
The direction came from Justice Rajesh Sekhri while hearing a petition filed by Dr. Shahid Ahmad Ronga, a noted child-rights expert and academic, who has alleged “serious irregularities” in the recruitment process initiated by the Social Welfare Department.
Represented by Advocate Zubair Ahmad, Dr. Ronga has challenged Advertisement Notice No. SWD-ICPS/55 dated 18.10.2024.
He alleges that the department “arbitrarily altered” the eligibility criteria prescribed under the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005, and “ignored” highly qualified candidates while shortlisting applicants for interviews conducted in October 2025.
The petitioner, who holds a Ph.D. in Law and has nearly 15 years of experience in child protection, juvenile justice, and rights advocacy, claims he was excluded from the shortlist without justification, while several candidates with “far lesser qualifications” were included.
He has also accused the authorities of introducing “Management” as an eligible discipline-something not provided for in the parent Act-and of discarding the points-based merit system announced in the advertisement.
After issuing notice to the respondents, the Court directed them to take the requisite steps within a week and listed the matter for further hearing on February 4, 2026.
Crucially, the Court clarified that the selection process already underway will be contingent on the final outcome of the petition, effectively preventing any irreversible appointments until the dispute is adjudicated.
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