GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court recently directed the Assam government to provide an update on the status of issuing notifications for the Draft Child Protection Policy and Juvenile Justice Rules, filing vacancies, and completing the social audit process. The matter is set to be reviewed on February 25.
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A division bench, comprising Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, also stated that it would review the infrastructure of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) and the condition of Children’s Homes in Assam on the same date.
During the hearing, the Senior Government Advocate informed the court that the Draft Assam State Juvenile Justice Rules, 2024, and the Draft Child Protection Policy are under active consideration. The drafts have been uploaded to the Cabinet portal, and The Child Protection Policy is also expected to be presented to the Cabinet in its next sitting.
It was also revealed that steps are being taken to incorporate guidelines issued by the court back in August. These include compliance with Section 19(6) of the POCSO Act, 2012, and provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, focusing on rehabilitating child victims.
The court acknowledged that notifying the rules and policies, as well as completing appointments, would require additional time.
