Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Panel suggests prompt production of case property

CHENNAI: A committee formed by the Madras High Court has suggested incorporation in the form of rules under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act prompt production of case property and complaint copies pending in sessions courts, especially when an offence is committed by a juvenile along with an adult.

It has also suggested, among other things, prompt execution of bailable warrants and a timeframe to receive the Probation Officer’s report. Legal aid advocate and other advocates must be allowed to participate in the enquiry proceedings before the Child Welfare Committee, and the atmosphere in the court must be made child-friendly. A place of safety for a juvenile should be created so that children who have committed minor offences are not made to stay with young adults who had committed serious offences.

Disposing of three writ petitions, a Division Bench of Justices P.K. Misra and K. Chandru said that in the light of the suggestions submitted in the court, and the amendment to the Act, it was directing the Tamil Nadu Government to reconvene the meeting of the committee and place the court order before it and get the draft rules, dated February 2006, revised and approved by the committee and then take a decision before publishing the rules.

The exercise should be undertaken within 12 weeks. After the rules are published, they should be implemented in letter and spirit.

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