Kerala's First Child-Friendly Family Court To Be Inaugurated At Kozhikode Today

Pursuant to the suggestions made by the Kerala High Court earlier this year, the Family Court at Kozhikode has become the first "child-friendly" Family Court in the State. 

Named 'Swapnakoodu', this first of its kind initiative in the State is a joint endeavour of the Calicut Judiciary and the Calicut Bar Association Committee, 2022. This novel venture is set to be inaugurated today by the District and Sessions Judge, S. Krishna Kumar at 1.30 P.M. at the Calicut Bar Association Hall.

The Division Bench of the Kerala High Court comprising Justices A. Muhamed Mustaque and C.S. Dias, in its order dated 24th June 2022, had lamented at the state of affairs in a few Family Courts in the State where, "the children and the parties are seen standing in jam-packed corridors and even on the roads for the whole day". The Court had further observed that "the congested Courts and the over-crowded premises, in fact, stares at the young minds, who develop negative notions regarding the justice delivery system in the Country".

On noticing the fact that there are dedicated places in the POCSO Courts in the State which are conducive to the best interests of the child, the Court had thus contemplated establishing a similar setup for the Family Courts as well and had called for a report from the Registrar of the District Judiciary about the possibility of the same.

It is in this light that Swapnakoodu has been established with large paintings drawn by Artists Sunil Ashokapuram and Nisha Raveendran adorning its walls, along with toys for the children to play with, and sofas to sit, and has been envisaged as a 'play area for children'.