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Kerala: A regional judicial colloquium on “POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act), Juvenile Justice & Drug Abuse among Children” organised by the Kerala High Court this past weekend, resolved to make recommendations to the Central and State governments to adopt certain measures for tackling the issue of drug abuse amongst children.
The colloquium was held on February 25 and 26 in Kochi, Kerala for the five southern States of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Kerala and the Union Territory of Puducherry with the participation of the judges of these High Courts, nominated judicial officers, and heads of departments having a stake in the juvenile justice system.
The colloquium was organised to sensitise different stakeholders in the justice delivery system who handle cases involving children in the backdrop of the legislations enacted in that regard.
It was resolved at the colloquium to make the following pertinent recommendations:
to the Central and State governments: take proactive steps to establish dedicated drug treatment and rehabilitation centres for children as per the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court in its judgment in Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India, and the provisions of the Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse and for Social Defence Services that was framed by the Central Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment;
to the State governments: implement the Navchetna Life Skills and Drug Education for School Children Module launched by Government of India in all the schools for early prevention of drug abuse;
to the State governments: conduct awareness and training programs for sensitization and enhancing the capacities of members of Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committees for the due discharge of their statutory obligations and duties as per the Juvenile Justice Care & Protection Act and also for their intervention in areas of drug prevention cases; and
to the High Courts: ensure that respective Registrar Generals intimate the above resolution to the competent authority of the Union Government in the Ministry of Social Justice and the State Governments concerned including the Union Territory of Puducherry for information and necessary action.
The colloquium was inaugurated on Saturday by judge of the Supreme Court of India and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court, Justice S Ravindra Bhat.
The event which took place at Kochi Marriot hotel was presided over by Kerala High Court Chief Justice S Manikumar. Several judges of the various High Courts were in attendance and spoke at the event including Chairperson of POCSO Committee (Kerala) Justice Alexander Thomas and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee (Kerala) Justice Shaji P Chaly.
In his inaugural address that was delivered over video conference, Justice Bhat highlighted the issue of increasing drug use amongst children and the need for exercising discretion in cases involving consensual sexual relationships between adolescents.
Chief Justice Manikumar spoke on the importance of sensitisation and the importance of getting the stakeholders in the system to come together and discuss issues and strategies as was being done at the colloquium.
On the second day, judge of the Telangana High Court, Justice G Radha Rani moderated a session at which Justices Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Bechu Kurian Thomas spoke on the need to restructure the justice delivery process where children are concerned.
Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice CT Ravikumar, appeared on video conference at the valedictory function and addressed the gathering.
