High Court directs creation of juvenile police units in every district

KOCHI: The High Court has directed that a special juvenile police unit must be set up in every district to strictly enforce the Juvenile Justice Act. The unit should function under the leadership of a police officer of at least DySP rank. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji also ordered that every police station must appoint a Child Welfare Officer of at least ASI rank.

The order was issued while disposing of a petition filed by Bachpan Bachao Andolan, led by Kailash Satyarthi, seeking strict implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act. The court said social audits must be conducted every year in all institutions operating under the Act. The model rules for the Juvenile Justice Act must be finalised within three months.

Vacancies in the Child Rights Commission, Child Welfare Committees, and Juvenile Justice Boards must be filled immediately. The Child Welfare Committee must meet 21 days a month. Vacancies of probation officers must also be filled.

Information on missing children must be uploaded to the National Mission Vatsalya portal. The Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Welfare Department will be responsible for implementing these directions.