The Madras High Court has directed the authorities concerned to file a detailed affidavit regarding the districts where the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and Child Welfare Committees (CWC) were functioning in the State.
The First Bench comprising the Chief Justice M.Y.Eqbal and Justice A.Arumughaswamy was passing further orders on a writ petitions praying for a direction to the authorities to incorporate the amendments made to the Tamil Nadu Juvenile (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2006 by taking into consideration the Citizens Draft for the rules after placing the rules in the public domain. They sought a direction to the authorities to immediately formulate and notify the rules under the amended Juvenile Justice Act, establish CWCs and JJBs with adequate superstructure and manpower in all districts. The petitioners also wanted the implementation of the integrated child protection schemes and establishment of the special Juvenile Police Units in all districts.
On an earlier occasion, when the matter came up, the court directed the Government Pleader (GP) to inform it about the steps taken with regard to the petitions. The GP produced a compilation of various G.Os establishing the JJBs in all districts. The government had also ordered the constitution of CWCs. But no document was produced in court. The court directed him to file an affidavit and also produce copies of the G.O.s.
Pursuant to this, the Director of Social Defence filed an affidavit stating that action had been initiated to identify the required buildings for all JJBs and 14 CWCs.
The Bench said that the affidavit was vague. No details had been furnished as to the districts where the JJBs and CWCs were functioning. It was also not clear whether the infrastructure, including furniture and computers, had been provided and installed in the premises. Therefore, the authorities should file a detailed affidavit. They should furnish particulars of persons from whom the premises had been taken on rent and also state as to whether the Act and rules had been complied with.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks.
