Gauhati High Court expresses displeasure over delay in notifying Child Protection Rules and Policy [Read Order]

Gauhati: The Gauhati High Court has delivered a significant order expressing displeasure over delays by the Assam government in notifying Draft Rules and a Draft Child Protection Policy under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.

A division bench of Justice Kalyan Rai Surana and Justice Arun Dev Choudhury, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation, noted that despite previous directions, the state government had failed to notify the crucial child protection measures.

The court observed that the delay “discloses that the State Government or its concerned officers do not have the will to give teeth to the child protection laws like the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act.”

Expressing strong disapproval, the court stated, “Due to the insensitivity of the various stakeholders in giving their inputs so that the State can notify the Draft Rules as well as the Draft Child Protection Policy, we express our displeasure.”

The bench directed the state to file a detailed affidavit explaining the consultation process and timeline for notifying the Rules and Policy. The court emphasized:

“We again hope and trust that the directions contained in paragraph 6 of the order dated 25.06.2024 are complied with at the earliest in the best interest of the children for whom the Act referred to above has been enacted.”

Highlighting the importance of the matter, the court noted, “The Court also hopes that the Government is conscious of the fact that the present Bench is monitoring the issues based on various directions which are contained in the orders passed from time to time by the Supreme Court of India.”

In conclusion, the court, expecting compliance with its directive, listed the matter for further hearing on 13.09.2024.

[Read Order]