Provide ‘Roadmap’ For Implementing Scheme For Engaging Para-Legal Volunteers In Police Stations: Delhi High Court To DSLSA

The Delhi High Court on Friday asked the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) to provide a roadmap for implementing its scheme for engaging paralegal volunteers (PLVs) in 50 police stations to help and assist in cases concerning missing children and offences against children.

A division bench of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani said that the roadmap must include how the directions of Supreme Court in relation to implementation of the scheme can be taken forward.

The Supreme Court in September last year directed all State Legal Services Authorities and Legal Services Authorities of Union Territories to frame schemes for appointment of para-legal volunteers in police stations in respect of cases relating to missing children and other offences against children, at the earliest. 

It had directed circulation of DSLSA’s scheme to be used by the States and UTs as a model for framing the schemes.

During the hearing, Nandita Rao, appearing for Delhi Government submitted that the matter is under active consideration and that an appropriate response regarding the scheme will be filed before January 31, the next date of hearing.

“What more is required is to implement the scheme in letter and spirit. Come up with a roadmap Mr. Changotra,” Justice Mridul told Special Secretary of DSLSA, Sushant Changotra.

Underscoring that it has zero tolerance for offences against minors, the bench said: “When the law requires us to take preventive steps, it is the best we can do. It is within the mandate of the Act (Juvenile Justice Act)…..This has to be done on a war footing.“

The court was hearing a criminal reference to streamline the functioning of juvenile justice delivery system under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Rules framed therein.

DSLSA’s pilot project involves engagement of para legal volunteers in 50 police stations in the city. These volunteers are deputed for assisting parents or children who are victims of sexual offences, wanting to register a case.

In July last year, the court was informed that the place of sitting and other basic amenities for the volunteers in police stations had been verified and the arrangements were found to be in order except in Harsh Vihar police station.

Case Title: COURT ON ITS OWN MOTION v. STATE