Conference discusses lacunae in juvenile justice process

The conference saw representatives from southern states, including Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry, who explained how child rights are protected by the Social Defence department. The idea of discussion was to identify the lacunae and propose changes to the legislation, if required. 

Andrew Sesuraj, State Convener, Tamil Nadu Child Rights Observatory (TNCRO), said that the biggest challenge is to reduce the pendency of cases before the Juvenile Justice Board. He also pointed out that there was a consensus on making courts and children’s homes, more child friendly. Sesuraj added, “For Children in need of Care and Protection, there is a dire need to make the institution child friendly. For example, a children’s home in Puducherry celebrates the birthdays of the inmates.” 

Thamarai Kannan, IGP, CB-CID, presented the steps taken by the department. “We have child friendly police stations as well as efforts towards capacity building for law enforcement officials for the better implementation of the act. Going forward, we want to develop standardised tools for collection/ analysis of data, strengthen ‘after care’ programs for children in conflict with law, after their release and conduct awareness campaigns, develop action plans to handle juveniles and improve the detention conditions for these juveniles at police stations and other centres such as observation homes,” she concluded.