Regional Conference For Northern Zone Relating To Family Court Matters Concluded At Dehradun
Northern Zone Regional Conference of the Family Courts Committee, convened as per the directives of the Supreme Court of India, was organised by the Supreme Committee headed by Justice Hia Kohli and witnessed a successful organization on April 6th and 7th, 2024, at Dehradun. The two-day conference, marked by significant deliberations, addressed crucial directives aimed at enhancing...
Northern Zone Regional Conference of the Family Courts Committee, convened as per the directives of the Supreme Court of India, was organised by the Supreme Committee headed by Justice Hia Kohli and witnessed a successful organization on April 6th and 7th, 2024, at Dehradun. The two-day conference, marked by significant deliberations, addressed crucial directives aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of family court proceedings and improving the well-being of children amidst legal disputes.
According to the press release, in response to the landmark First Appeal No. 102 of 2022 (Varun Vashisth vs. Soniya @ Soni), the High Court of Uttarakhand issued directives mandating the appointment of specialized counselors within family courts across major districts, including Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar. This initiative, aimed at addressing the mental health needs of children affected by parental litigation, underscores the establishment of Children-Rooms within family court premises to provide a supportive and child-friendly environment during legal proceedings.
Furthermore, under the proactive guidance of the Chief Justice of the High Court of Uttarakhand, concerted efforts are underway to appoint counselors specialized in matrimonial disputes and child counseling within the court's mediation and conciliation centers. The proposed amendments endorsed by the Ministry of Law & Justice emphasize stringent qualification criteria for marriage counselors, promoting expertise in fields such as family therapy, psychology, and social work.
In alignment with the concept of shared parenting advocated by the Shah Commission, the High Court of Uttarakhand has mandated the strict adherence to updated counseling guidelines in handling matrimonial disputes and custody cases, thereby promoting mediation as a preferred avenue for amicable resolutions.
Highlighting the disparity in counseling success rates between different regions, the conference underscored the urgent need for enhanced counseling services in Uttarakhand. Reflecting upon the proactive measures adopted by the judiciary to bolster counseling initiatives, emphasis was laid on the necessity of adequate training and resources to support counselors in effectively addressing the diverse needs of litigating families.
In parallel, significant attention was devoted to prison welfare and addressing overcrowding in correctional facilities. Drawing inspiration from successful prison welfare models, the conference endorsed profit-sharing schemes for inmates engaged in productive activities, aiming to reduce recidivism rates and promote rehabilitation within the prison system.
Additionally, concerns over overcrowding and healthcare provision within jails were thoroughly addressed, with directives issued to explore the feasibility of constructing new facilities and improving healthcare access for inmates, particularly those with special medical needs such as HIV patients.
Looking forward, collaborative efforts with the Narcotics Control Bureau were announced during the Conference to launch a comprehensive Drug Awareness Campaign targeting schools and institutions. This campaign aims to combat the rising trend of drug abuse among youth by fostering awareness and proactive intervention strategies.