The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Police ponder over problems in JJ Act implementation

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Tuesday, Jun 17, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Police ponder over problems in JJ Act implementation

Staff Reporter

Concerns over lack of awareness among police personnel about the Act
Police find it hard to ascertain the probable age of children

BANGALORE: Delay by the police in filing charge sheets against children who are found to be in conflict with law is leading to problems at observation homes. “In the absence of the charge sheet, we are forced to keep the child for a long time in the observation homes as we cannot decide about child’s care and welfare. This prolonged stay has led to children running away from observation homes,” said Additional Director of Women and Chid Welfare M.S. Suman.

Ms. Suman was highlighting instances of the ways in which police were dealing with children aged below 18 years who are caught for various criminal offences, and are covered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act.

“There have been prolonged detentions in the police station. There have been instances of children being given electric shock and being beaten by sticks,” she said and added, “This is not a complaint against police. But we need to work together in making the life of children secure.”

Ms. Suman was participating in a training programme for police personnel on the Act organised by Empowerment of Children and Human Rights Organisation (ECHO) at the Shivajinagar police station on Monday.

This programme comes in light of concerns being expressed about the lack of awareness among police personnel about the Act, and follows the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission observation that children aged below 18 were landing up in Bangalore Central Prison.

Raising the issue, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Gopal B. Hosur stressed on the need of the policemen being aware of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act. “We cannot continue with the age old way of functioning. We have to understand the Act and implement it in letter and spirit.”

He said the police find it hard to know the probable age of children in the absence of proper records.

It takes a long time to get the results of ossification tests done for ascertain the probable age.

“We do not have time to do all these. We are constrained of time,” Mr. Hosur said.

“In such cases police should use their discretionary power in favour of children in conflict with law,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) B.K. Singh spoke.

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