Jharkhand High Court Organizes Jharkhand State Multistakeholders Consultation On Children In Conflict With Law In Collaboration With UNICEF

The Juvenile Justice-cum-POCSO Committee, Jharkhand High Court in association with Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, Government of Jharkhand on Saturday organized the Jharkhand State Multi- Stakeholders Consultation on “Children in Conflict with Law (Prevention, Restorative Justice, Diversion and Alternatives to Detention)”.The Consultaion was organized in collaboration with UNICEF at Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, Judicial Academy, Jharkhand and aimed to address the challenges faced by Children in Conflict with Law (CICL) who find themselves entangled in the legal system, emphasizing preventive measures, restorative justice, diversion and alternatives to detention.It was organized under the aegis of Child Welfare Committee, Supreme Court of India, and was graced by the presence of Judges of the High Court of Jharkhand, Shri Md. Shakir, Registrar General, Members of the High Court Registry, JHALSA, Judicial Academy, Members of the Bar, Chairperson, Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.It was attended by Senior bureaucrats of the State of Jharkhand from Department of Home, Health, Education and Literacy Development, Department of Women, Child Development and Social Security, UNICEF, Child Rights Experts, Academicians and other distinguished dignitaries.It was also attended by over 400 participants, including Judicial Officers (Special POCSO Judges, DLSA Secretaries and Principal Magistrates, JJB), D.C., D.D.C, S.P., CID Officers, Nodal Officers of Special Juvenile Police Unit, Civil Surgeons, DSWO, Chairpersons, Child Welfare Committee, Members, Juvenile Justice Board, and State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL), Jharkhand State Child Protection Society of Government of Jharkhand, Block Resource persons, members of UNICEF, Principals, Vice-Principals, etc. Further, law students of NUSRL and Chotanagpur Law College, Ranchi were present as volunteers.It commenced with welcome song by children of Child Care Institutions (CCIs). Justice Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, the Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court graced the event as the Chief Guest and delivered the Inaugural Address. With his profound understanding of the subject, extensive experience, and notable contributions to the welfare of juveniles in the High Courts of Orissa, Uttarakhand, and presently in Jharkhand, he shared valuable insights. Justice Sanjaya stated that every Child in Conflict with Law (CICL) is also in some way Child in Need of Care and Protection (CNCP) and every CNCP is a potential CICL, and hence, we should look at this issue in a holistic manner. Igniting the attention of audience, Justice asked the audience, whether each one participating in today’s Consultation have read the JJ Act and Rules completely, and emphasized that we cannot become active stakeholders unless we are truly aware of our laws. Judge and Chairperson of the Juvenile Justice-cum-POCSO Committee, Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad, graced the event as the Guest of Honour. During his Keynote Address he highlighted the need of sensitivity towards CICL and urged all the stakeholders to come out of their comfort zone and contribute for bright future of the children, and encouraged the audience to embrace CICL with optimism rather than subjecting them to stigmatization.Justice quoted the empowering words of Gabriela Mistral, “We are guilty of many errors and many faults, but our worst crime is abandoning the children, neglecting the fountain of life. Many of the things we need can wait. The child cannot.”Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary, a distinguished Judge and Member of the Juvenile Justice-cum-POCSO Committee, graced the occasion as a Special Guest during the event. He emphasized that while the 2015 Act introduces several innovative concepts and provisions, its practical implementation poses challenges. As a result, a State Consultation has been convened to facilitate discussions and solutions, primarily focusing on matters concerning Children in Conflict with Law (CICL). Justice Choudhary also highlighted a crucial concern regarding the misuse of the law, specifically pointing out the issue of obtaining counterfeit school certificates for the purpose of age determination.Kripa Nand Jha, Secretary, DWCD & Social Security delivered the Welcome Address and discussed the fundamental principles on which new JJ Act is based. He emphasized that “Koi bhi baccha shatir nahi hota” and advocated for treating children in accordance with this perspective.Dr. Kaninika Mitra, CFO UNICEF Jharkhand, also addressed the gathering and quoted the famous words of Frederick Douglass, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”. The Inaugural session concluded with Vote of Thanks proposed by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Juvenile Justice -cum- POCSO Committee.Children’s Art Exhibition cum Sale The magnificent Children’s Art Exhibition cum Sale was inaugurated by Hon’ble the Chief Justice, High Court of Jharkhand. Over 675 exhibit...

Jharkhand High Court Organizes Jharkhand State Multistakeholders Consultation On Children In Conflict With Law In Collaboration With UNICEF

Bhavya Singh

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