Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 17: State Judicial Academy in collaboration with SAVE – the Children, organized one day workshop on Juvenile Justice System for Judicial Officers and Public Prosecutors of Jammu province.
The workshop was organized on the directions of Juvenile Justice Committee, Supreme Court of India headed by Justice Madan B Lokur and under the guidance and patronage of Chief Patron of the J&K State Judicial Academy and Chief Justice of State High Court, Justice N Paul Vasanthakumar and governing body of the Academy comprising Justice Muzaffar Hussain Attar (Chairman) and Justice Janak Raj Kotwal (Member).
The workshop was inaugurated by the Justice Janak Raj Kotwal in the presence of Sajad Ahmad Khan, Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department, Sharif Bhat, State Programme Manager, Save the Children, Maharukh Adenwalla, Resource Person, Judicial Officers and Public Prosecutors.
Proceedings were conducted by Abdul Rashid Malik, Director, J&K State Judicial Academy, who highlighted statement of objects and reasons behind the Juvenile Justice Act.
In his inaugural address, Justice Janak Raj Kotwal emphasized that the role of the Judicial Officers in implementation of Juvenile Justice Act and Rules is very crucial and expressed the hope that one day workshop will sensitize the Judicial Officers and the Public Prosecutors about their role and responsibility so that the object of the Act is achieved in letter and spirit.
Maharukh Adenwalla, Resource Person deliberated upon aims, objectives and principles of Juvenile Justice Act. She dealt with bail and age determination under Juvenile Justice Act.
Sajad Ahmad Khan, Secretary to Government, Social Welfare Department assured that Social Welfare Department will work in close liaison with the judiciary in implementing the provisions of Act and Rules in the State. He informed that the Central Government has introduced Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS), which is based on the principles of protection of child rights and best interests of the child and aims to institutionalize services for emergency outreach, family and community based care, counseling and support.
He assured the State Judicial Academy that immediate steps will be taken to constitute the JJBs and the hardships in the process of Constitution of Selection-cum-Oversight Committee in terms of Rule 89 of Juvenile Justice Rules, 2014 will be overcome with the support of the judiciary.
Sharif Bhat, State Programme Manager, Save the Children gave a brief account of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) by informing the participants that the scheme is aimed at creating a safety net for protection of all children across the country with special focus on vulnerable children.
He gave a brief history of the working of the Save – the Children organization. According to him, the child not only narrates his problem but also the solution provided he is given an opportunity of being heard.
The workshop concluded with the vote of thanks by the Director, J&K State Judicial Academy.
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