Bengaluru, July 23: The High Court of Karnataka has directed the state government to formulate Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for child protection, particularly for cases of child pornography and child missing.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice M Nagaprasanna passed a detailed order and asked the state government to submit compliance within three months.
The division bench passed the order on two PILs, including a suo motu litigation registered in 2018. The PILs were registered to ensure effective implementation of the directions of the Supreme Court on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act).
The bench observed that in normal courses, courts do not issue writ of mandamus to the legislature on rule-making aspects. However, when the failure of the state is demonstrated under exceptional circumstances, courts can issue directions. The bench directed the state government to expedite the rule-making process to ensure proper implementation of the JJ Act.
The bench expressed displeasure on the insensitive police investigation in cases of child pornography. “The police machinery did not show the sensitivity expected from it while dealing with cases of alleged child pornography. Therefore, it will be appropriate if the state issues SOP or guidelines for dealing with cases of child pornography so that proper investigation is carried out in such cases. As we are directing the formation of SOP for dealing with child pornography cases, the state is also directed to formulate guidelines on child missing cases,” the bench said.
The bench had been issuing several directions since 2018 and has also been monitoring police investigations. The court observed that while the state government has incorporated several directions, some issues still remain unaddressed.
The bench directed the government to have dedicated staff for the Directorate of Integrated Child Protection Scheme considering the sensitive nature of work.
On working of Juvenile Justice Boards (JJB), the court asked the Registrar General of the Karnataka High Court to issue directions to the principal magistrates of all the JJBs in the state to sit on all working days for a minimum of six hours a day.
The high court directed the state to exercise the rule-making powers for obtaining an annual report from the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
Comments
SDPI ... No news.. Congress would have come with more seats if SDPI would Not contested.. last year they won few seats... i don't think they have not doing good job.. that's why lost seats preferably they should not be contesting for communal forces to win the election .. HOPE YOU LEARNT LESSON AND AVOID ELECTION SDPI
Shradha,
JNU row in DK? hahahahahahah.
What a connection you made. You may not be knowing overall Karnataka who is leading?
saleem na thigaldakutta
congress paid lots of money to the voters otherwise clean sweep.
historic victory for bjp, congress started downfall.
Siddaramaiah will lose his post soon, at the end ONLY wrist watch will remain for him,
congress da thigaldakatta
Outstanding performance by BJP - Mandate is against Congress.
Bjp has won 13 District Panchayats in Karnataka.I congratulate Bjp Team Karnataka for this spectacular victory. sorry for congress
what a bastion that BJP has just not being able to break. Not a single seat won in #Karnataka TP/ZP elections
JNU row, cant defeat BJP this is the answer for Truth.
BJP is in majority congress failed all over.
Ministers Like Khader will not lose. congrates khader
people know whom they should elect, the result is congress.
Add new comment