Bombay HC tells child welfare institutions in state to fill vacancies in 3 months

In an earlier hearing, the HC raised concerns over the 40,051 cases pending before the Juvenile Justice Board (10,008 cases) and the Child Welfare Committee (30,0043 cases) and said the same would amount to ‘nullifying spirit’ of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015.

A division bench of Justices N M Jamdar and M M Sathaye issued several directions including the one to constitute Special Juvenile Police Units in districts and cities in areas where they have not been so constituted within a period of three months under the charge of the officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

It disposed of the PIL observing that such “shortfalls pose a serious threat to the well-being of children, undermining their rights and leaving them vulnerable to exploitation and neglect”.

The bench added that the urgent need to fill vacancies was required to rectify deficiencies in implementing child protection measures in Maharashtra. “Proactive measures are required by the state to address staffing challenges, strengthen reporting mechanisms, and use technology for child welfare,” it observed.

The HC directed the state authorities to fill up the vacant posts in the Maharashtra State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Child Welfare Committee within three months. It also ordered the authorities to initiate the process for filling up anticipated vacancies in the institutions four months in advance to ensure the posts do not remain vacant.