On July 16 2021, a Gauhati High Court bench led by Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia directed the Advocate General to take up with the state government the matter for constructing at least one child-friendly court can be made operational as soon as possible.
The following are the facts of the case:
The court was dealing with a suo moto case involving the rape of a minor victim following a missing report filed by Aka Kalung claiming that his minor domestic help was missing.
The house owner allegedly raped the domestic help who was brought from Nepal as a domestic help.
In the case, the court ordered the state authority to provide police protection and also ordered the concerned Deputy Commissioner to visit the CCI and inquire about the facilities available there.
Counsel's Submission:
Mr. UK Nair, learned senior counsel for the Gauhati High Court, submitted that Rule 54 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 mandates that there be a child-friendly Court where matters concerning POCSO are heard, but the court was informed that there is no child-friendly Court in the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Order of the Court:
In light of the foregoing, the Hon'ble Bench of the Court requested that the learned Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh take up this matter with the State Government as soon as possible so that at least one child-friendly Court can be built and made operational in the State of Arunachal Pradesh.
The matter was relisted for August 16, 2021.
