Panaji: Three members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), South Goa, who were also holding additional charge as members of the Child Welfare Committee (Kushavati), have been placed under immediate suspension by the Goa government pending a departmental inquiry.**
The order, issued on August 24 by the Directorate of Women and Child Development, names Dr Junsa Mudras, Ms Perci Scoori Fernandes and advocate Shirley Sadira De Monte Furtado Sousa.
According to the order, the competent authority had received several complaints against the three members alleging procedural lapses and dereliction of duties, involving their conduct, alleged partiality and decision-making.
The government said the suspension was ordered to ensure an impartial and transparent departmental inquiry into the allegations.The order was issued by Jyoti Desai, Director and ex-officio Joint Secretary, Women and Child Development.
The action has been taken under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Act, 2021, read with Rule 15 (4D) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Amendment Rules, 2022.
The three members had been appointed as members of the Child Welfare Committee (South Goa) through a notification dated July 28, 2025, for a tenure under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. They were subsequently given additional charge as members of the Child Welfare Committee (Kushavati) through a notification dated February 25, 2026.
During the suspension period, the three members shall not exercise any powers, functions or privileges of the Child Welfare Committee, the order said.
They have also been directed to hand over all files, documents and records in their custody either to the chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee (South Goa/Kushavati) or the District Child Protection Unit (South Goa/Kushavati) immediately.
The order further states that a detailed departmental inquiry is ongoing through the chairperson of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and the suspended members will be given an opportunity to present their case.
