Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Sept 14: The High Court today directed for creation of Special Juvenile Police Units in the State for welfare of the orphans and those children who are conflicting with law.
Hearing a PIL on protection of Orphans and Juveniles, the Court sought report from the police on creation of Juvenile Police Units as also proper functioning of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and observation homes.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice D S Thakur while passing these directions observed the main concern of the Court is proper functioning of JJB, CWCs, CCIs and their proper maintenance and registration.
Meanwhile, Court has received the suggestions with regard to acilities and programmes for both children in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection from Bharti Ali, HAQ, New Delhi.
Bharti Ali, HAQ, Centre for Child Rights, New Delhi was directed earlier to provide a list of facilities and programmes which are required to be provided and are being provided in Child Care Homes (both for children in conflict with law and those in need of care and protection).
Court directed the Registry to forward these suggestions to the Chief Secretary as these suggestions are valuable and deserved to be considered by the authorities.
With regard to 14 JJBs which are still without Principal Magistrates, Court has been informed by the State Counsel for SWD that these JJBs are working properly as the job of Principal Magistrates is taken care of by Judicial Magistrates of their jurisdiction till absorption of Principal Magistrates are made on regular basis.
Counsels appearing for petitioner Advocate Shah Faisal and Advocate Omais Kawoosa have been asked to physically visit these boards in order to find out whether these boards are functioning properly or not as the chairperson of Selection cum over sight committee in the report has said that the impediment to the JJBs is non availability of proper staff.
Counsel representing for Sports Council sought further time to report the court about providing the sport activities to the inmates and removing of all kinds of difficulties while providing them sports activities.
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