The Delhi High Court has directed the Finance Department to fast-track the proposal for construction of a new building at Narela here to house juveniles in conflict with law.
A Bench of Justice S. Ravindra Bhat and Justice A.K. Chawla gave the order after it was told by the Delhi government that the issue pertaining to sanction by the Finance Department was pending with the Department concerned.
“The Finance Department is directed to deal with the proposal at the earliest, so that further steps towards construction of the facility are undertaken,” the Bench said.
The court was also informed that a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to be used in all Child Care Institutions (CCI) and observation homes here was in the process of finalisation.
The amicus curiae appointed to help the court in the case pointed out that the Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB) has been directing housing of children facing inquiries with those already serving sentences at CCIs.
‘Unwholesome practice’
The amicus curiae said the “unwholesome practice” tends to expose children facing inquiries — in need of care and protection — to potential bad influences.
However, the Bench noted that the JJB have taken the logical decision to direct children to be sent to CCIs.
In most of these cases, the JJB have granted bail to juveniles. But such children cannot be handed over to their families because parents did not report or were unable to comply with bail conditions.
“The court is of the opinion that the JJB appears to have adopted a reasonable procedure in the overall circumstances,” the Bench said.
“Furthermore, as to whether the child in question [who is facing an inquiry] can cause some threat or disturbance or bad influence to other children in CCIs may have to be assessed properly by the Child Welfare Committee [CWC] concerned on a case-to-case basis,” the Bench said.
It directed the CWC to monitor on a periodic basis children who are facing an inquiry.
