Telangana High Court urges proper social investigation reports for child welfare cases

Telangana High Court Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh has directed that Social Investigation Reports prepared under the Juvenile Justice Act must contain crucial details about a child's family background, social environment and basic necessities, and not be treated as routine paperwork.

The Chief Justice made the observation while addressing the annual State-level stakeholders consultation meet on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act-2015, convened by the State Judicial Academy on its campus.

Multi-agency responsibility stressed

Justice Singh emphasized that protecting children and their rights cannot be limited to a single entity or agency. He said NGOs, the judiciary and the police must all play their respective roles to ensure no child's rights are violated.

High Court senior judge and Judicial Academy chairperson Justice Moushumi Bhattacharya called the JJ Act strong legislation. However, she noted that effective implementation would require using provisions of other special laws such as the POCSO Act and the BNS in conjunction with it.

Review of heinous offences definition sought

Director General of Police C.V. Anand said attempts should be made to re-examine the definition of heinous offences under the JJ Act. He added that any proposals to change the definition should not dilute the primary principle of giving juveniles an opportunity to reform.

The consultation meet brought together key stakeholders working under the juvenile justice framework to assess implementation challenges and coordinate inter-agency responses in protecting children in conflict with law and those requiring care and protection.

Source: The Hindu