$~124 * IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI # CNR No. DLHC010398422026 + W.P.(C) 12374/2026 MS GUNJAN KUMARI THROUGH HER NEXT FRIEND AND OLDER SISTER SHIVANI JHA .....Petitioner Through: Ms.Anindita Mitra, Mr Vishal Sinah and Ms.Srishti Ghoshal, Advs. versus GOVT OF NCT OF DELHI & ORS. .....Respondents Through: Ms. Vaishali Gupta, Panel Counsel for GNCTD with Ms. Rashi Aggarwal, Advocate. CORAM: HON'BLE DR. JUSTICE SWARANA KANTA SHARMA O R D E R % 24.08.2026 1. By way of the present writ petition, the petitioner seeks following reliefs: ―a) Issue a writ of mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent Nos. 2 to pass orders for immediate release of the Petitioner from Child Care Institution "DMRC UDAAN", Dilshad Garden and allow her to reside with her elder sister and next friend Ms. Shivani Jha until she attains majority, subject to such safeguards as this Hon'ble Court considers appropriate; b) Issue a writ of mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent Nos. 2 to pass urgent orders under Section 40(3) and Section 52 for appointment of the Petitioner‘s elder sister and next friend Ms. Shivani Jha as a ‗fit person‘ to take care of the Petitioner, subject to such safeguards as this Hon'ble Court considers appropriate; c) Issue a writ of mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent Nos. 2 to conduct an independent inquiry into the Petitioner's safety allegations at Respondent Nos. 3; This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 29/08/2026 at 16:23:43 d) Issue a writ of mandamus, or any other appropriate writ, order, or direction directing the Respondent Nos. 2 to conduct an immediate and independent assessment of the Petitioner by a qualified child psychologist or counsellor;;‖ 2. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner states that her petition is pending before the concerned Court for appointment of guardian and the next date of hearing in that case is in the month of October, 2026. She also states that an application has been filed before the CWC for declaring the sister of the petitioner, who is present before this Court, to be fit person with whom she can reside. Both these petitions are pending before the concerned Court and the CWC with next date of hearing in the month of October, 2026. 3. Considering the overall facts and circumstances of the case, and also the fact that the minor has levelled serious allegations, against the CCI, of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, denial of books and medicines and the threats made to her, the Court concerned as well as the CWC are directed to prepone the next date of hearing to the second week of September, 2026 and be decided within a period of two weeks from date. 4. With these directions, the writ petition stands disposed of. 5. The order be uploaded on the website forthwith. DR. SWARANA KANTA SHARMA, J AUGUST 24, 2026/A/VS This is a digitally signed order. The authenticity of the order can be re-verified from Delhi High Court Order Portal by scanning the QR code shown above. The Order is downloaded from the DHC Server on 29/08/2026 at 16:23:43