Indian High Courts review decade of Juvenile Justice Act implementation

Judicial leaders and policymakers in India held state-level consultations to review the implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, marking a decade of the legislation.

In Odisha, a meeting organized by the High Court of Orissa, the Department of Women & Child Development, and UNICEF focused on a prevention-based roadmap. Chief Justice Harish Tandon emphasized the need to address grassroots vulnerabilities to keep children out of the legal and institutional systems. Technical discussions covered the rights of children in conflict with the law and those in need of care and protection, including issues of family separation and special needs integration.

In Andhra Pradesh, High Court Chief Justice Lisa Gill raised concerns regarding the shortage of trained manpower and gaps in child-friendly procedures within Juvenile Justice Boards and Special Juvenile Police Units. She called for coordinated action among the judiciary, police, and civil society to address modern threats such as cyberbullying and online harassment. Justice Battu Devanand noted that delinquency often stems from poverty and illiteracy, advocating for a focus on education and rehabilitation over mere punishment.