Justice Tashi chairs High Level Committee to review functioning of Juvenile Justice Boards in J&K

Srinagar, Aug 7: A meeting of High Level Committee chaired by Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice (A), High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority was convened today at Conference Hall, High Court of J&K and Ladakh at Srinagar.
The meeting was attended by its members, Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary, Home; Sheetal Nanda, Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare and Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority also Ex-officio Member Secretary, Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of J&K and Ladakh.
The meeting was convened to review the pendency and disposal of cases by the Juvenile Justice Boards across the UT of J&K besides reviewing the progress on the resolutions passed in the previous meeting and deliberating upon the issues confronting the proper implementation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children), 2015 Act in the UT of J&K.
While reviewing the pendency and disposal of cases before the JJBs, the Member Secretary informed Justice Tashi that a total of 2769 cases were pending at the beginning of the current calendar year and 360 fresh cases were instituted up till 31.07.2024, out of which, 447 cases were disposed of between January to July 2024 despite the fact that 19 JJBs are operating with Principal Magistrates having additional charge and sole Principal Magistrate working on full time basis.
He further informed that as on July 31, 2024, there is pendency of 2682cases in JJBs across the UT of J&K. The Committee expects that the Principal Magistrates in all the 20 JJBs shall be posted soon. The Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare suggested that the data of POCSO cases be also reviewed in the next meeting.
Justice Tashi recorded satisfaction regarding the working of Juvenile Justice Boards and appreciated the efforts of Home and Social Welfare Departments in strengthening the JJBs. He further impressed upon the Committee to conduct the review meeting regarding the functioning of Juvenile Justice Boards at least once in six months.
During the meeting the Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, informed Justice Tashi about the non-furnishing of detailed information regarding the establishment of Special Juvenile Police Units and the nomination of Child Welfare Police Officers, which was discussed in the previous meeting. The Principal Secretary Home assured the Committee to furnish the information on establishment of the Special Police Units and Child Welfare Police Officers, as well as the creation of child-friendly corners in all police stations.
Regarding the payment of compensation to the victims and their dependents under Victim Compensation Scheme 2019, the Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority informed Justice Tashi that during the current calendar year compensation to the tune of Rs. 1,03,62,000/- has already been disbursed in 52 cases whereas 15more applications are under process which shall be disposed of very soon. He raised a demand for release of funds to the tune of Rs. 4.00 Crores to clear the awarded compensation and to cater to the petitions pending before various DLSAs.
The Member Secretary also highlighted the need to fully computerize all the JJBs for which the Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare assured the Committee to raise the demand before concerned Authorities for release of funds.
Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority acknowledged the participation of Social Welfare Department in organizing Joint Awareness Programmes to spread awareness among the masses regarding the implementation of the JJ Act.
This meeting underlines the ongoing efforts and resolutions aimed at enhancing the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Act and improving the support systems for juvenile care and protection in the UT of J&K.