Regional Colloquium on JJAct, Pocso Act And Drug Abuse Organised By Kerala HC Passes Resolution For Immediate Steps for Dispensation of Justice and Rehabilitation of Victims

The Regional Colloquium on Juvenile Justice Act,2015, PoCSO Act and Drug Abuse among Children organized by the High Court of Kerala entered its second and final day on Sunday. The Colloquium was organised to sensitise various stake holders of the justice delivery system handling cases involving children under different acts at various levels.

Justice C T Ravikumar, Judge, Supreme Court, addressed the valedictory function, through virtual mode. Justice S. Manikumar, Chief Justice, High Court of Kerala, Justice Alexander Thomas, Judge, High Court of Kerala and Chairman, PoCSO Committee and Justice Shaji P. Chaly, Judge, High Court of Kerala and Chairman, Juvenile Justice Committee were also present for the concluding session.

Sunday's session focused on "restructuring the justice delivery process relating to children in conflict with law and offences under the PoCSO Act: an agenda for changing the mindset". Justice Rajavijayaraghavan V spoke on the relevance of forensic evidence and evidential burden in child abuse cases and Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas spoke on the necessity of a victim centric approach in PoCSO Act cases. The session was moderated by Justice G Radha Rani, judge High Court of Telengana. 

The Regional Colloquium also passed a resolution to be presented to both the Central government and the governments of the participating southern states. This resolution is intended to serve as a reminder for governments to take immediate action to improve dispensation of justice and to ensure proper rehabilitation of victims.

The resolution passed in the Colloquium strongly advises both the Union Government and State Governments of the southern states to take proactive measures towards establishing dedicated drug treatment and rehabilitation centers for children. These measures are to align with the guidelines and directives outlined by the Supreme Court in its judgment in Bachpan Bachao Andolan v. Union of India (2017) 1 SCC 653, as well as the provisions stated in the "Central Sector Scheme of Assistance for Prevention of Alcoholism & Substance (Drugs) Abuse and for Social Defence Services" scheme, formulated by the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

The resolution passed on 26th February also urges State Governments to implement the 'Navchetna Life Skills' and 'Drug Education for School Children' Modules. This was initiated by the Union Government and are to be made available to all schools to help prevent drug abuse at an early age.

This resolution also advises State Governments to organize training and awareness programs for the members of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committees. The objective of these programs is to sensitize these bodies to carry out their statutory duties and obligations in accordance with the Juvenile Justice Care & Protection Act.

Finally the resolution requests the High Courts of the southern states to ensure that the Registrar General of the respective High Courts informs the concerned authority of the Ministry of Social Justice of the Union Government, as well as the State Governments, including the Union Territory of Puthucherry, of the resolution for their information and necessary action on the issues discussed.