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The Gauhati High Court has directed the State of Arunachal Pradesh to set up at least one Child friendly Court in the State as per the mandate of sub-rule 18 of Rule 54 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016

The order was passed by  Chief Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia and Justice Manash Ranjan Pathak while hearing a suo motu case of a minor girl from Nepal working as a domestic help in Roing who was sexually abused by her employer.

The Sessions Judge had directed the girl to be handed over to the relative of the accused after which the High Court took a suo motu congnisance of the case.

The girl had been lodged at the CCI by the District Child Welfare Committee. The Court had sought a report on the condition of the CCI pursuant to which a report was placed before the Court.

The Court found the facilities at the CCI, Roing, adequate and directed that the child will be staying there for the time being.

During the Course of hearing Counsel appearing for Gauhati High Court, Adv UK Nair informed the bench that sub-rule 18 of Rule 54 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 mandated that there shall be a child-friendly Court where matters regarding POCSO are taken up. He said that they had been informed that there is no child-friendly Court in the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

The Court thereafter directed Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh, Mr. N Dutta  to take up the matter with the State Government so that as early as possible at least one child-friendly Court could be constructed and made functional in the State of Arunachal Pradesh, at the earliest.

The Court has listed the matter for next hearing on August 16.

Case Title: XXX GUWAHATI, ASSAM vs IN RE - STATE OF ARUNACHAL PRADESH AND 4 ORS

[photo credits: BBC News]