PIL on JJB Case Delays: Delhi HC Seeks Centre, State Reply

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Centre, the Delhi Government, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), and the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR) in a public interest litigation highlighting systemic delays in the disposal of cases by Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs) in the capital.

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela was hearing the petition filed by iProbono India Legal Services, which raised concerns over the non-adherence to statutory timelines prescribed under Section 14 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

The petitioner submitted that inquiries before the JJBs are not being concluded within the mandated four-month period (extendable by two months), resulting in a denial of the right to timely justice for children.

It was submitted that only seven JJBs are currently operational in Delhi, against the sanctioned strength of eleven.

The petition, supported by information obtained under the Right to Information Act, pointed to "abysmally low" disposal rates and a widening backlog, particularly in cases involving petty offences, where the Act expressly mandates closure of proceedings if they remain pending beyond six months.

The Bench directed the petitioner to place their grievances before the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Delhi High Court within two weeks.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 24, 2025.

The petitioner has also sought directions to ensure regular monitoring of case pendency in JJBs by Chief Metropolitan Magistrates and Chief Judicial Magistrates, along with the submission of periodic compliance reports.

The plea asserts that the existing delay undermines the rehabilitative intent of juvenile justice mechanisms and adversely impacts the constitutional and statutory rights of children.