MP SLSA: 2 Days State Consultation "Manthan" Organized By The JJ Committee And POCSO Committee Of MP HC On Effective Implementation Of The POCSO Act

The Programme was inaugurated by Justice Ravi Malimath, Chief Justice, High Court of Madhya Pradesh today on 05.11.2022 at the Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy, Jabalpur with lighting a lamp in the august presence of Justice Sheel Nagu, Administrative Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh,Justice Sujoy Paul, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh & Chairperson, Juvenile Justice Committee, Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari, Judge, High Court of Madhya Pradesh & Chairperson, POCSO Committee, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Companion Judges of High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Principal Seat Jabalpur and Benches at Indore & Gwalior, Ashok Shah, ACS, Department of Women & Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Ms. Margaret Gwada, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh.

The introduction and welcome address of the programme was given by Justice Sujoy Paul.

Ramkumar Choubey, Registrar General, High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur, B.K. Dwivedi, Principal Secretary, Law & Legislative Affairs Department, Govt. of M.P., Rajiv Karmahe, Member Secretary, Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Registry Officers of High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Officers of Madhya Pradesh State Judicial Academy & Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority and participating Judicial Officers and officers of other departments were also present on the occasion.

Justice Ravi Malimath, Chief Justice, High Court of M.P., in the inaugural session expressed that according to the data of National Crime Records Bureau, the ever-increasing number of crimes against children is alarming and effective implementation of POCSO Act, 2012 is necessary. In most cases, the perpetrators are relatives or acquaintances of the children. Children are easy targets to commit crimes as they are unable to clearly express their feelings and due to fear, they also remain silent regarding the offender, even after the crime is committed. It is the responsibility of all of us to create such an environment in the society which is safe for children. We have to educate the children in such a way that they can understand the crime or any other wrong thing or obscene act and can openly talk to their teachers, parents etc. Effective monitoring of children by parents while using internet is also essential. Further, Chief Justice emphasized that the onus is also on schools, parents and other care givers to encourage open dialogues on these issues. For instance, schools can set a time on regular basis to educate students on these crimes. Physical education classes can be a part of the curriculum in all schools. Physical safety should also be included as a part of the curriculum. Moving a step further, sensitization programmes for schools as well as for offices and other workplaces should be organized. Through this everyone should be aware of the process to be followed and responses to be made after child related crimes and also how to avoid them. The Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority and other similar organizations will have to come forward and make the society aware and sensitize about the crimes against children. They have to assure that awareness and benefits should reach to every person especially the weaker sections of the society. Lastly, Chief Justice expressed that he is also looking forward towards deliberations of this consultation and an effective review as well as preparation of positive and effective action plan will emerge for the future in the above consultation.

On this occasion, the website of Juvenile Justice Committee, High Court of Madhya Pradesh was also launched by the Chief Justice and other Guests.

Thereafter, Ms. Margaret Gwada, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Mr. Ashok Shah, Additional Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Justice Sushruta Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice Sheel Nagu also addresses on the occasion.

The purpose behind organizing this Consultation is to review the implementation of the POCSO Act, 2012 in the last decade and to monitor the earlier prepared State Level Action Plan for the years 2018-22 for child protection and to develop the State Level Action Plan for the years 2023-27.

In the next two days, following technical sessions on topics "Rehabilitation and Reintegration of POCSO Survivors and Preventive Measures: Practices, Gaps and Opportunities", "Child Friendly Court Procedures during Prosecution for POCSO Survivors: Practices, Gaps and Opportunities", "Investigation of cases under POCSO Act, 2012: Role of Police, Medical Officers, Special Public Prosecutors, Probation Officers and Support Persons", "Building capacity of functionaries under POCSO Act, 2012 & the role of State-run Training Institutions" and "Developing State Action Plan on Child Protection" will be taken up.

The outcome of this, State Consultation "Manthan", effective implementation of POCSO Act, 2012 and review of the earlier action plan as well as effective future action plan will also be prepared.