With a view to streamlining the working of juvenile homes across the country, Chief Justice of India P. Sathasivam has written to the Chief Justices of all High Courts requesting them to nominate a judge each to inspect the homes in the State concerned and to send a report.
The CJI’s initiative follows the recent escape of over 30 young boys from a juvenile home in the capital. He has also received a number of complaints of poor maintenance of juvenile, shelter and children’s homes and of facilities and benefits not reaching the intended beneficiaries. Further, children were exploited.
At the Supreme Court level, the CJI has nominated Justice Madan B. Lokur as Chairperson of the Juvenile Committee for effective implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. He has been asked to suggest improvements in the working of the homes and organisations as envisaged in the Act and Rules. Judges appointed at the State level will consult Justice Madan Lokur in this regard.
According to the CJI, Parliament’s vision of taking care of the needs of children so that their rights are fully protected, in effect, is “not bearing fruition to the optimum level.” Hence the need for monitoring committees at the Supreme Court and State levels.
Justice Lokur would monitor the reports received from the High Courts.