Maha to go Delhi way for child justice

Mumbai: The state government has informed the Bombay high court that it is planning to set up a juvenile-friendly court on the lines of the one in Delhi. The state also submitted that details have been collected from NGOs and a decision by the authorities is pending. On Monday, Advocate General (AG) Ashutosh Kumb-hakoni informed the court that he has collected information from the Delhi high court where such juvenile-friendly courts have been set up in its premises.

“We have decided to use Delhi as a model and construct such courtrooms in the state,” Mr Kumbhakoni said. He also said that he has taken help from NGOs, working in the area of offences against children. He also said that he would soon file a compilation of all the information pertaining to juvenile-friendly courts.

Mr Kumbhakoni said that the state has created ‘special juvenile police units’ to prevent offences and also made arrangements in the existing POCSO court to make children secure.

On the last hearing, the court had asked AG to appear before the court. The court also directed the government to consider establishing child-friendly courtrooms for minors, witnesses and juveniles facing inquiry under protection laws for them. The court further directed to file a comprehensive reply on the vacancies in child welfare committees, Juvenile Justice Boards across the state and provisions under the Juvenile Just-ice Act.