The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed Railways and investigators not to impose fine on children below 18 years of age who have been found violating railway or any other laws.
If it is clear that children had violated rules, the agencies concerned should produce them in front of the Juvenile Justice Board or submit a report. The children should not be produced in railway court or report submitted to the court, commission member K. Nazeer said.
The commission was taking suo motu action on media reports that the railway police were levying fines from children boarding trains conducting late services.
Anyone below the age of 18 who violated laws should be produced before the Juvenile Justice Board.
No one had any right to take action against children for violation of laws except under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. No fines could be levied on them nor could they be produced in railway courts, the commission said.
