Abhay Chougle, president, Juvenile Justice Board of Vijayapura district, has regretted that though the law mandates disposal of cases related to juveniles in conflict with law within four months, various limitations were causing an inordinate delay in giving a finality to such cases.
Speaking at an interaction programme on the State government’s proposed child safety law, organised by the Vijayapura Zilla Panchayat here on Monday, he said that often legal proceedings are hindered owing to delay in issuing summons to the accused and also the delay in producing the accused before court. “The board has been trying to ensure speedy disposal of cases within the stipulated time but without the cooperation of the police, it is not possible,” Mr. Chougle said.
Referring to the committee formed by the High Court of Karnataka for suggesting ways and means to eradicate malnourishment, he said that the team headed by the former Supreme Court judge Shivraj Patil gave valuable suggestions to the government for improving nourishment level among children.
Deputy Commissioner D. Randeep, who inaugurated the programme, said that the government, before framing the Act, was collecting opinion from various stakeholders for coming up with a strong and effective law to prevent child molestation.
Children’s writer H.M. Pujar said that ensuring only good clothes and food was not enough to create a healthy future of the children. They should also be given adequate protection and a sense of security, he added.
District Health Officer D. Gundappa, Deputy Director of Public Instruction S.S. Biradar, president of Child Welfare Committee Mahadevappa Devar and children’s writer Kanchani Sharanppa were present.
