Instead of cops, deploy ex-army men inside juvenile homes: HC
19 Feb 2014 5:30 AM IST
The Delhi High Court has modified its earlier order of using police for maintaining peace inside observation homes, housing delinquent juveniles, and ordered deployment of retired army men for the purpose.
‘It is stated that having regard to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, it would be unfeasible to involve the police authorities for maintenance of peace in the ordinary circumstances,’ a bench headed by justice S Ravindra Bhat said.
Concerned over untoward incidents inside some observations homes, the court had passed a slew of directions including using Delhi police in maintaining peace there.
The court, which modified the order, was informed by Delhi government that so far as deploying ex-servicemen on contract is concerned, ‘the proposal has been since cleared’ and was pending approval with the Finance Department.
‘The respondents, including the Finance Department, are hereby directed to ensure that the proposal is speedily dealt with and appropriate clearances given at the earliest convenience and in any event within two weeks from today; this Court notes that the existing security contract is likely to end on 31.03.2014,’ the bench said.
The government also told the court that a pilot project, meant to engage delinquent juveniles inside the observation homes, would be started and the ‘expression of interest’ (EOI) has been called for from interested parties.
‘A similar direction is given to the respondents to process and make necessary clearances by the end (on this issue) of two weeks...,’ the bench said.
Earlier, the court had taken suo motu cognizance of news reports on 16 December that a group of delinquent minors had escaped from an observation home after an eight-hour rampage during which they indulged in rioting, vandalism and arson. Similar incidents also took place after the incident.
Castigating authorities for their failure to control rioting in juvenile homes here, the court had directed the government and police to ensure maintenance of law and order and segregate the children involved in heinous crime in these shelters.
‘It is stated that having regard to the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, it would be unfeasible to involve the police authorities for maintenance of peace in the ordinary circumstances,’ a bench headed by justice S Ravindra Bhat said.
Concerned over untoward incidents inside some observations homes, the court had passed a slew of directions including using Delhi police in maintaining peace there.
The court, which modified the order, was informed by Delhi government that so far as deploying ex-servicemen on contract is concerned, ‘the proposal has been since cleared’ and was pending approval with the Finance Department.
‘The respondents, including the Finance Department, are hereby directed to ensure that the proposal is speedily dealt with and appropriate clearances given at the earliest convenience and in any event within two weeks from today; this Court notes that the existing security contract is likely to end on 31.03.2014,’ the bench said.
The government also told the court that a pilot project, meant to engage delinquent juveniles inside the observation homes, would be started and the ‘expression of interest’ (EOI) has been called for from interested parties.
‘A similar direction is given to the respondents to process and make necessary clearances by the end (on this issue) of two weeks...,’ the bench said.
Earlier, the court had taken suo motu cognizance of news reports on 16 December that a group of delinquent minors had escaped from an observation home after an eight-hour rampage during which they indulged in rioting, vandalism and arson. Similar incidents also took place after the incident.
Castigating authorities for their failure to control rioting in juvenile homes here, the court had directed the government and police to ensure maintenance of law and order and segregate the children involved in heinous crime in these shelters.
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