New Delhi: The Supreme Court is convening a two-day national consultation on Saturday and Sunday to review the implementation of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act of 2015, aiming to identify key challenges and establish priorities for strengthening child protection systems over the next decade.
Held at the apex court premises in New Delhi, the consultation is organised by the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee in collaboration with UNICEF. The gathering brings together Supreme Court and high court judges, senior government officials, and child rights experts to evaluate progress made under the legislation and explore methods to enhance access to justice for minors.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will inaugurate the event and release a compendium of landmark judgments from the Supreme Court and high courts concerning the Juvenile Justice Act, spanning from 2015 through September 2026. Justice B V Nagarathna, a Supreme Court judge and chairperson of the Juvenile Justice Committee, will deliver the opening remarks, alongside introductory remarks from UNICEF India Country Representative Cynthia McCaffrey.
Discussions will center on the rights of children in conflict with the law, preliminary assessments conducted by Juvenile Justice Boards regarding heinous offenses, adoption procedures, institutional care, and the rehabilitation of vulnerable children. Technical sessions are set to examine how the law is applied across various states and Union Territories, allowing regional representatives to share practical experiences and best practices.
Additional topics include improving inter-institutional coordination, strengthening child-friendly justice mechanisms, and promoting the rehabilitation and social reintegration of minors. The consultation will conclude on Sunday featuring special remarks by Milen Kidane, UNICEF India Chief of Child Protection, an address by Union Ministry of Women and Child Development Secretary Anil Malik, and closing remarks by Supreme Court Justice and committee member J B Pardiwala.
According to an official release from the apex court, the overarching objective of the consultation is to shape strategic priorities for the upcoming decade, emphasizing the safeguarding of children's rights, bolstering institutional accountability, and ensuring comprehensive access to care, protection, and justice.