Politics · India · 23 hrs ago

India’s chief justice says children in conflict with law must be understood

India’s chief justice says children in conflict with law must be understood

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant spoke in New Delhi at an event marking 10 years of the Juvenile Justice Act.

He said authorities should do more than hear children accused of breaking the law: they should try to understand them.

He noted that some children in conflict with the law may previously have needed care and protection that they did not receive in time.

The Act treats people under 18 as innocent of criminal intent and makes institutional care a last resort.

It favours counselling, community service, probation and diversion from formal proceedings over confinement.

The approach aims to help children return to society rather than be labelled as criminals.

Supreme Court judge B V Nagarathna also said adults should take children’s concerns seriously so they do not feel rejected.

Sources

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